We’ll admit it — we’re a little obsessed with Target.
It’s hard not to be. The store has pretty much everything you need, right in one place. But don’t be fooled by the prices on the shelf.
If you know the secrets to Target shopping, you can save a ton on every shopping trip! You don’t have to spend all day clipping Target coupons, either.
Here are our favorite ways to save money at Target…
1. Get Cash Back on Your Target Purchases
Here’s how it works….
1. Sign up for Ibotta here (you just need a name/email address to start).
2. Browse through the cash-back offers in your area and take note the next time you go to Target. For example, Ibotta’s currently paying out 25 cents just for a picture of a Target, regardless of what you bought. Pretty cool, right? Once you’ve reached at least $20 in earnings, you can request payment via Paypal or Venmo. And right now, Ibotta is giving new users a $10 sign-up bonus, just for redeeming their first receipt.
Obviously, you don’t want to buy a bunch of crap you weren’t already planning on purchasing. But, this can be an easy way to get a little cash back for doing something you were already going to do.
2. Save Your Emails From Target
It turns out that deleting your emails could be costing you serious money.
Intrigued?
A website called Paribus helps gets you money back for your online purchases at stores like Target.
It’s free to sign up and once you do, it scans your email archives for any receipts. If Paribus discovers you’ve purchased something from Target or one of the other 20-plus retailers listed on its website, it continuously monitors those prices.
When (or if) the item’s price drops, it takes advantage of price protection policies to get you a refund.
You don’t have to do anything!
3. “Drop” Points Toward Gift Cards
Pssstt… We’ve got a secret.
There’s a new rewards platform on the market.
Drop is a financial tech company that rewards for your purchases.
As an exclusive Drop user, all you have to do is link your credit and debit cards. When you make a Drop-qualified purchase, you’ll automatically earn points.
When you shop at Target and use your linked card, you’ll earn eight points per dollar spent. The points will add up, and you can then exchange them for gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon and Starbucks. For example, 5,000 points will get you a $5 Starbucks gift card. (You know how tempting that Starbucks inside Target is…)
It’s the ultimate loyalty card — without the card.
You can sign up right here.
4. Grab a Free Target Gift Card
Ever complained that no one listens to what you’ve got to say? Well, I beg to differ: Harris Poll will pay you to let your voice be heard.
After signing up and telling Harris Poll a little bit about yourself, you’ll receive invitations to surveys.
For each survey, you’ll need to fill out a brief questionnaire to ensure you qualify.
If you do qualify? You can earn anywhere from 50-600 points per survey, which you can later redeem for free Target gift cards!
5. Know Your Target Markdown Tags
If you do go into a physical store, you’ll need to know the secrets of the Target markdown tag. Check the upper right corner of those little red tags for the markdown percentage. The lower left corner of the tag will tell you the original price.
Also, prices ending in $0.04 usually indicate that the item has been marked down multiple times and will probably not going any lower. But, those ending in $0.06 or $0.08 have a chance at further markdowns.
6. This App Pays You for Walking Into (and Shopping at) Target
Sick of shopping online and headed to a real, live store? Download the Shopkick app first.
Once you sign up, the app pays you “kicks” for walking into certain stores (including Target, Walmart, TJMaxx and more). These can be redeemed for gift cards to Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, Sephora, Best Buy and more.
It pays you even more “kicks” for scanning items in stores and purchasing them with a connected credit or debit card, as well as for scanning receipts and mobile shopping.
7. Bank 5% Off Every Time You Shop at Target
Listen, it’s okay to admit you get as excited as Kristen Wiig at Target. If you’re perusing the “One Spot” more than once a month, it’s probably time to join the RED club.
Target’s branded RED debit and credit cards offer an insane 5% off on every purchase you make at the store and online (excluding prescriptions).
There’s no annual fee on the credit card, but if you don’t want to add another card to your credit report, just go with the debit card. It links right to your existing checking account for Target purchases making it a mindless way to save every time you walk in the store.
Let’s say you spend $150/week on groceries at Target — that’s $390 saved that could go right into your savings account each year!
Plus, if you sign up and qualify before May 20, Target will send you a coupon for 10% off your next shopping trip.
8. Download the Target App
Download Target’s app on your smartphone so that you can see the latest discounts on everything from clothing to food. This is where the discounts really start to add up because you can stack these savings with your coupons and RED card cash back.
