How often do you go shopping at Target? 

Mmm…Target! Loved by some, hated by others. If you have been there at least once, you know what I’m talking about. Now, I am curious: on which side are you as a customer? However, in today’s article, we’re going to reveal some of the best hacks to save money when shopping at Target. And guess what? These are “collected” from a trusted source, which is former employees. Cool, right?

If you could use a helping hand during these hard times of inflation, bargain hunter, keep reading because things are about to get excellent. And don’t forget, by the end of the article, to leave us a comment.

1. Get the Target smart phone app

This is probably the first step that’s a must if you want to go shopping at Target! The smart phone application is absolutely free of charge and allows you to make a virtual shopping list and right after you buy an item from it, you can erase it or mark it as complete. It’s also very handy and easy to use by anybody, including seniors.

Furthermore, if you have the app installed, you will also have access to numerous discounts when you are at the checkout line. All you have to do is show the cashier you have the app on your phone, and they will tell you for which product you get a discount.

However, if you don’t like to spend hours in a supermarket, we have some good news for you: you can order your groceries online and choose the option of home delivery, or you can pick them up in the store. And because Target loves its customers, you will also get pretty good discounts for online orders too!

2. Sign up for a subscription

Did you know that if you subscribe to their newsletter on their website, you will receive daily and weekly discounts directly in your inbox? If you want to save more money, this method is probably one of the best. Doing this, you will have access to every discounted product, and if you need something from the list on that day, you can run to the nearest Target store in your neighborhood and grab it fresh from the shelf.

This is another hack that Target employees told us when we asked for a wiser method to save even more money when shopping in our favorite store. And in my case, this really helped me out because I managed to keep up with all the changes they made throughout the week!

3. Join the loyalty program

In the past few years, almost every big retailer has adopted this method of making fidelity cards for all the customers that want to join the program. And of course, Target couldn’t be an exception! They have the Red Card,” which allows you to have free shipping every time you opt for online shopping.

But wait! There’s more. You will also receive 5% back on every purchase you make online or in store. If you want to save more money on regular groceries or household items, choosing to enter the loyalty program is definitely a good idea. For more in-depth information about the Red Card, Target employees recommend checking out their website and carefully reading all the instructions there!

4. Bring your own reusable grocery bag

This is probably one of the best hacks on the list! If you use a reusable bag, Target shops will give you a 5 cent credit off of your purchase. While it might not be the most cost-effective thing you can do at Target to save money, it’s still worthwhile to do it because it helps the environment and prevents you from having to add more plastic bags to the plastic bag holder that is already overflowing.

By valuing your time and minimizing clutter in your home, carrying your own bag is a wise decision!

5. The return policy is awesome

I personally love the return policy! Because if you have a certain item that you haven’t used within 90 days, you can exchange it or get a refund, depending on your choice. And the good thing is that you can even trade for something that you didn’t even buy at Target to receive a gift card in exchange.

But wait a second! Because there is more to this return policy! For Target store-brand products, you have a year to return them, like the well-liked Opalhouse home collection or Joy Lab exercise gear. Awesome, right?

6. They have the lowest price on the market

Have you ever purchased something from a store only to discover two days later that it was available for $30 or less online? Now that’s just bad luck! However, Target has a brilliant policy because if you purchased the item from them and you see it elsewhere cheaper, if you tell them about this and you bring the proof, they’ll automatically give you back the difference, no matter if it’s $10, $20, or more!

They definitely know their thing because, honestly, nobody can ever compete with them. With such deals and discounts for a huge variety of products, it is no surprise their customers are super happy!

Pro tip: Before you take advantage of this offer, do not forget to inform yourself on their website. There can be real-time changes, and it’s better to know exactly what and how from a safe source.

7. Everyday deals!

Wow! This is something amazing, for sure. Imagine going into any Target store in your area and discovering that on Tuesday you get half off the price of that coat you always wanted to buy. Because Target knows that little things matter and they are interested in making their customers happy. However, to get the discounts and see all the markdowns, you have to physically go to the store because the discounts aren’t available online.

On which day do you prefer to go shopping? Tell us in the comments section down below.

8. Understand the price labels

While waiting for things at Target to go on sale might be a terrific way to save money, it can also be a bit of a challenge. You must be familiar with markdown codes in order to prevent losing your favorite discounted items. According to a former employee of Target, all of the items for sale there begin with a price that ends in the number 9, such as $2.99 or $38.99. Target’s new price tag includes two essential details that indicate how much an item will be discounted when it is marked down.

If you pay close attention, you will see a small number in the upper right corner of the price tag that indicates what portion of the original price this new price indicates. Usually, the first markdown ranges from 15% to 30%. 70% or even 90% off will be the biggest reduction.

The final digit of the new price is disclosed on the price tag as additional information. Markdowns that are initial or intermediate will have a six- or eight-digit ending. Therefore, instead of ending in nine, the discounted price will be $1.96 or $48.98. A final markdown price will have a four-digit ending, so if you see a price of, for example, $1.50, you know that’s the lowest it will go.

9. Holiday discounts!

Everybody loves holidays, but more than that, we love the discounts after every holiday. At Target, the day after a certain holiday (Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, or any other popular local holiday), all the products are getting a 30% discount. Amazing, right? And if you’re not in a hurry (if you want to save more money, you should definitely be patient), four or five days after the holidays end, they have a huge discount, and the prices drop to 60–70% off the initial price. Yippee! But if you are lucky enough, if there are any items left on the seventh day, they reduce the price even more so you can buy something with a 90% discount.

I guess that Target employees and managers are some kind of skilled wizards because they definitely have great skills when it comes to lowering prices. And for sure, they master it better than others!

What do you think about Target? How often do you do your grocery shopping here? Tell us in the comments.

…psst! One more thing before you go, check out one of our personal favorite articles: 8 Smart Ways to Save Money at the Grocery Store.