5 Insider Hacks to Save Money at Target Every Trip

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1. Always Use Target Circle For Instant Savings

You’re literally missing free money if you’re not using Target Circle.

It’s like having a secret VIP badge that takes a few bucks off every purchase. No cape required.

• Instant Discounts: Target Circle gives you automatic price drops on stuff you already buy.
  
• Birthday Rewards: You get special offers and bonus savings during your birthday month (yay, you 🎉).
  
• Stack Deals: Combine it with manufacturer coupons or RedCard savings for double wins.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Download the Target app, tap “Circle,” and scan your barcode every time you shop. Those small discounts add up fast.

Make It Easy: Consider using a phone card holder so your Target app barcode is always handy at checkout.

2. Check Weekly Ads Before You Go Shopping

You know those glossy ads everyone ignores in the mail? Yeah, those are gold.

They’re how Target quietly tells you what’s going on sale before the crowd finds out.

• Early Access: See deals before they’re gone so you can plan smarter.
  
• Weekly Patterns: Some items go on sale the same week every month (no, that’s not a coincidence).
  
• Big Event Alerts: Major promos like “Buy 2, Get 1 Free” are listed right there.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Open the Target app, hit “Weekly Ad,” and add sale items to your cart before heading out. It’s like shopping with a cheat sheet.

Make It Easy: Use Capital One Shopping to automatically find online Target deals if you prefer shopping from your couch.

3. Buy Target Brand Instead Of Name Brands

Here’s the thing. Target’s Good & Gather and Up & Up products often come from the same factories as the fancy brands.

You just don’t pay for the marketing fluff.

• Same Quality, Less Cost: Store brands save you around 15–30% without sacrificing taste or performance.
  
• Guaranteed Returns: If you don’t love it, Target takes it back. No awkward stares.
  
• Everyday Essentials: From snacks to shampoo, their private labels cover nearly everything.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Next time you shop, swap one name-brand item for Target’s version. You’ll see the price difference right on your receipt.

Make It Easy: Grab a reusable shopping tote so you can carry your budget-friendly finds with style (and fewer plastic bags).

4. Shop On Tuesdays For The Best Clearance Drops

Here’s a secret even some employees don’t know. Target does most of its clearance updates on Tuesdays.

If you show up midweek, you’ll catch the freshest markdowns before anyone else.

• Seasonal Steals: Home décor, clothes, and kitchen goods often hit clearance that day.
  
• Color Code Trick: Yellow and red tags = final markdowns.
  
• Hidden Gems: Clearance items hide at endcaps and bottom shelves. Look low, save high.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Swing by on Tuesday mornings, grab a coffee, and check your favorite aisles before everyone else catches on.

Make It Easy: Use a foldable shopping cart to make hunting for clearance deals easier to haul home.

5. Compare Prices With Walmart Before You Buy

Think Target always wins on price? Not always. 

Sometimes Walmart undercuts quietly, and Target’s price match policy means you can claim that lower price.

You just have to show proof (and a little confidence 😉).

• Price Match Guarantee: Show a lower price from Walmart, and Target matches it instantly.
  
• Online Works Too: Even if the deal’s online-only, they’ll still honor it in-store.
  
• Applies to Most Items: From electronics to groceries, it’s fair game.
  

👉 Here's How You'll Do It: Before checkout, open the Walmart app, scan the item, and show it to customer service. They’ll drop the price for you.

📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌