Target Shopping Basics

Thus begins a series on shopping basics for each store.

Target used to be the store where I would get things that were a tad nicer than the stuff at Walmart and pay just a teensy bit more than the aforementioned Walmart. I avoided the food section because the prices seemed high compared to regular grocery stores. Even earlier this year, I was convinced that their diapers were the best way to go (I still really like their diapers and will buy them in a heartbeat if they are on clearance - it's all about cost per diaper). So, how do I get things cheaply at Target?

Two ways: Gift card promotions and Target printable coupons. Pairing the two make for the sweetest of deals. Here's how this all works.

Gift Card Promotions:
Target offers deals where they will offer a gift card back after purchasing specific items. For example, a current deal works like this:

Buy 2 Irish Spring or Softsoap Value Packs
Get a $5 Target gift card!
Valid from 5/19-7/13.
All value packs are price at $6 each
The following products are included in the gift card deal:
Softsoap Ensembles Base
2 pack of the Ensembles Refill
2 pack Irish Spring Body wash
2 pack Softsoap Body wash

Deal Scenario:
Buy 2 Softsoap Ensembles Value Packs $12
Use 2 $2 Target coupons or from the 5/31SS (Smart Source)
Plus, use 2 $2 coupons from here or from the CVS Reinventing Beauty Mag. w/Jennifer Aniston on the cover.
Pay $4
Get back a $5 Target gift card
Final cost FREE + a $1 moneymaker!
(Thanks, Hip to Save!)

I try to do deals like this that are free or moneymakers. The giftcard cannot be used on the initial purchase, so there is the $4 out of pocket expense, but then you have a $5 gift card to use on another deal that results in a gift card thus "rolling" the giftcard. I have gone to Target and spent very little out of pocket because of these gift cards. Once I bought $21 worth of items and spent $3 out of pocket.

Target Store Coupons:
Target offers coupons on their website that can be used in their store only. These store coupons can be paired WITH a manufacturer coupon for great savings! Current Target coupons can be found here. These coupons can also be printed at the kiosk at the store where you find baby registry information. Past coupons that have not yet expired can be found here. I will caution you to read the print on the coupon. Some may say just one per purchase (one for each item purchased) and some say one per transaction (only one can be used before each payment - may have to go through the line multiple times).

Here is an example of pairing store and manufacturer coupons:
Colgate Wisp (4 ct) $1.99
Use the .50 Target coupon
Plus, use the .50 coupon from here
Final cost .99!
(Thanks, Hip to Save!)

Finding the Deals
I recommend scouring the Target ads in the paper plus reading a blog or two that tracks Target deals. I really like Hip to Save for deal scenarios. I have found that since my Target is not a Super Target, some of the deals differ - the prices, especially on grocery items, differs from many blog posts. I also highly recommend carrying a copy of the Target Corporate Coupon Policy with you along with the phone number for Corporate. Many people are having problems using coupons at Target so being armed with this information often resolves issues.

Happy deal hunting!