Target is one of the top retailers in the U.S. Sure, their superstores have good prices, but sometimes you need a few tricks to get the best deals. If you want to stretch your budget and score some great deals at Target, check out these 11 money-saving tips.

Use a Reusable Bag & Shop Off-Season for Clearance Products

Reusing products is a simple way to save money and help the environment. Reusable bags are great because many stores charge for plastic bags, but bringing your own saves you money. Target even gives you a $0.05 discount for each reusable bag. It's a small saving, but every bit helps. Target offers its own reusable bags for $0.99, or you can find various styles on Amazon.

Target has fantastic Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, but buy holiday presents yearly to avoid the crowds. Shopping off-season or at the end of a season is also a great way to save on clothes. Everyone loves a good deal, right? Clearance items are where they are. Check out the end caps of aisles for those red clearance tags. Even better, browse the clearance section online for some quick finds. You can sort by department or look for items with 50% off or more. And if you're a REDcard member, you get free two-day shipping. Or opt for in-store pickup if that's easier.

Get Free Gift Cards Using Fetch Rewards

Many coupon apps like Ibotta exist, but Fetch Rewards is super easy to use. It lets you earn cashback by shopping for specific brands. Just scan your receipt with the Fetch Rewards app within 14 days of purchase, and you earn points. You can redeem these points for gift cards, including Target gift cards. Fetch Rewards has a low $3 minimum cash-out threshold, making it a quick way to save on future Target buys.

People often get gift cards they don't want, and there are websites where you can buy these at a discount. If you plan a big shopping trip, get discounted Target gift cards from sites like Card Cash, Card Cookie, or Raise. Discounts vary, but it's an excellent way to save if you buy something pricey. Just remember, these discounted gift cards are only good for Target.com.

Swap Old Electronics

You can donate unused electronics or sell old devices, but if you want to save at Target, use their Trade-in Program. Here's how it works:

Find your device on Target's accepted trade-in list.
Get a quote by answering questions about your device's condition.
Ship it for free using a prepaid label.
Get a Target Gift Card within two weeks.

You can trade in smartphones, tablets, consoles, and more. You can also trade unwanted gift cards from other brands for Target gift cards or PayPal cash. This program is only at select Target locations, and gift cards must be balanced. Target Gift-Cards can be used online or in-store, making this a great way to turn old electronics or gift cards into savings at Target.

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Check Out Target's Registry Program

Target's got this cool gift registry thing where you can set up a list for any occasion, like weddings, baby showers, housewarming parties, or even just for fun. The usual registries make it easy for friends and family to buy gifts and avoid duplicates. But with Target's wedding, baby, and college registries, you can snag up to 15% off on stuff you didn't get as gifts.

College Registry Coupon: Get a 15% off coupon for a single online purchase sent to one address. Make sure to use it before the registry expires or your move-in day.
Baby Registry Coupon: Get a 15% off coupon eight weeks before your due date. Your list needs to be active for at least 14 days before you get this coupon.
Wedding Registry Coupon: Get 15% off for everything left on your list the week of your event.

Plus, with the baby and wedding registries, you get a welcome kit with $150 worth of coupons and samples. Remember that the coupons don't work on gift cards, booze, cameras, gaming systems, and some TV brands. But if you qualify for the 15% off, you can save a lot on your Target haul.

Look for Price-Matching Deals

Target's price-matching

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Target offers price-matching. It's only useful if you know the rules and remember to ask for it at checkout.

Excluded Items Policy: No price matching on clearance, liquidation, damaged, used, refurbished items, or stuff advertised as a percentage or dollar off. No go-on pricing errors, member-only prices, or extraordinary Target offers like Circle deals or Target coupons.
Time Frame Guideline: You can ask for a price match up to 14 days after your purchase.
Broad Price Match Policy: Target will match prices for identical items from their website or local ads. They also match some online competitors like Amazon and Walmart.

You can't get a price match on stuff already on discount from programs like Circle, but it's still a solid way to save on full-priced items.

Use a Shopping Browser Extension

Some browser extensions help you save money while shopping. Some give you cash back, others find coupons or compare prices at checkout. Using a few extensions is another way to save money on Target. You can stack these savings with your Target RED card or other credit card rewards. It might not seem like much, but every little bit helps, right?

Shop on the Target Website to get Free Gift Cards.

Shopping on Target.com can get you free shipping and clearance deals. Plus, you can earn gift cards by buying stuff in the Gift Card with Purchase section. Items in this section usually offer $5 to $20 in free Target gift cards. The rewards depend on how much you buy and the terms of the deal, like "Buy three, get $5." Check out the Current Promotions page for the latest Gift Card with Purchase deals.

You usually need around $75 to $100 in a specific category to get a $20 gift card. Stocking up on household essentials can make this easy. Deals change often, so visit Target's Gift Card with Purchase section and read the current promotions page to know what's eligible.

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Become More Creative with Coupons

Target's coupon policy

Image Source: Yahoo

You don't need to spend hours planning to save money with coupons. Using a few coupon apps and knowing the store's coupon policy can help you save a lot. Target's coupon policy is pretty generous:

BOGO Coupons: You can't use two BOGO coupons to get both items for free.
Category and Storewide Coupons: One category or storewide coupon per guest per transaction.
Online Coupons: Target accepts valid online coupons with scannable barcodes. They need a purchase requirement.
Coupon Restrictions: Use up to four identical coupons per household per day.
Stack Your Coupons: Combine one manufacturer coupon, Target coupon, and Circle offer per item.

The only downside is that Target doesn't give cash overages. But stacking manufacturer coupons, Target store coupons, and Circle offers is a great way to get big discounts.

Shop on Specific Days for Deals

One excellent way to save at Target is to shop on specific days to catch those weekly markdowns. Here's a rough schedule most stores follow:

Monday: Baby stuff, books, kids' clothes, electronics, and accessories

Tuesday: Women's clothes, food, and pet supplies.

Wednesday: Garden and lawn items, furniture, men's clothes, beauty and health products.

Thursday: Housewares, luggage, sporting goods, home decor, toys, and shoes.

Friday: Hardware, auto products, jewelry, and cosmetics.

This might not be spot on for every store, but keep an eye on your local Target to determine when things go on sale and plan your shopping trips.

Utilize the Target App

The Target app is a lifesaver. With Target Circle, you can save money, but the app also has other handy features. Browse Circle offers, check the Weekly Ad for current deals, and find exclusive REDcard discounts in one spot. The app lets you see if items are in stock at nearby stores, making your shopping smooth. And if you're in a hurry, use the Drive Up feature to bring your order to your car or the Order Pickup for in-store retrieval.

Join Target Circle

Target Circle is a free membership program with some sweet perks:

Coupons: Easily find manufacturer coupons through the app.
Birthday Deals: Enjoy 5% off on your birthday.
Offers: Get personalized discounts based on your shopping history, with deals ranging from 10% to 50% off.
Cash Back Offers: Earn 1% back on in-store and online purchases, which you can use on future buys.

Its a no-brainer to join since its free and pairs well with a RED card for maximum savings.

Get a Target REDcard

The best way to save money at Target is with either the Debit or Credit version of a RED card. Both come with:

Exclusives: Discounts at Hotels.com and a 10% anniversary discount.
Extended Returns: An extra 30 days for returns.
No Charge Two-Day Shipping: Perfect for online shoppers.
5% Discount: Get 5% off most purchases, including clearance and in-store Starbucks.
Zero Annual Fees: No hidden costs.

The main downside is these cards only work at Target, but the savings are worth it. Credit cards help build credit, while debit Cards are great for those who don't want another credit card.

Conclusion

Saving money at Target is all about knowing the ropes. Use price matching and coupon stacking, and take advantage of the REDcard and Target Circle programs. It might seem small, but those savings add up over a year!