{"id":9082,"date":"2012-05-19T07:00:41","date_gmt":"2012-05-19T12:00:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wordpress\/?p=9082"},"modified":"2025-06-30T12:16:41","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T18:16:41","slug":"how-to-shop-target","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/shopping\/how-to-shop-target\/","title":{"rendered":"How-to: Shopping at target"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>Ah, you say \u2014 you already know about shopping at Target.&nbsp;In fact, you\u2019ve spent so much time there that you should be eligible for some kind of lifetime achievement award. Okay, we\u2019ll give you that\u2014but are you shopping it in the smartest way possible? Perhaps not.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Here are&nbsp;our tips for maximizing your Tar-jay experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Shopping at target<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"300\" class=\"wp-image-121590\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/mobile-coupons.jpg\" alt=\"Mobile coupons for Target\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/mobile-coupons.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/mobile-coupons-300x164.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use your mobile for more than \u2018words with friends\u2019<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cartwheel app<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Shopping at Target has gotten even easier with the launch of the Cartwheel app. Use Target&#8217;s Cartwheel app to collect and unlock a variety of coupons and savings. With Cartwheel, you can search for discounts, store them in your app, then show your phone at the register to secure your savings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mobile coupons<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"367\" class=\"wp-image-121591\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/calendar.jpg\" alt=\"Calendar with pen\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/calendar.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/calendar-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Target now offers scannable <strong>mobile <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/best-online-coupon-sites\/\">coupons<\/a><\/strong> for guests who opt-in to the program. Sign up here. You\u2019ll receive a text message with a link to a mobile web page with a whole bunch of deals accessible through a single bar code, to be scanned on the phone at checkout.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The best part is if you end up picking up some extra stuff you weren\u2019t planning to (like we do on EVERY SINGLE TRIP to Target) you can quickly access the page on your mobile and have coupons at your fingertips.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Know the schedule<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"258\" class=\"wp-image-121592\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-coupon-codes.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-coupon-codes.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-coupon-codes-300x141.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Target has a regular schedule for clearance and markdowns, and while it can vary from store to store, this is the general breakdown:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li><strong>Monday:<\/strong> Electronics, Kids Clothing (and possibly Infants items) and Stationary<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Tuesday: &nbsp;<\/strong>Domestics, Women\u2019s Clothing, Pets and Market<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Wednesday:<\/strong> Men\u2019s Clothing, Toys, Lawn &amp; Garden, Health and Beauty items<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Thursday:<\/strong> House Wares, Lingerie, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/budget-luggage-brands\/\">Sporting Goods, Shoes, Music\/Movies, Books, Decor and Luggage<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Friday:<\/strong> Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, and Jewelry<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Traditional holiday clearance<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\r\n<li>50% off the day after the holiday, for three days<\/li>\r\n<li>75% off the fourth day after the holiday, for three days<\/li>\r\n<li>90% off the seventh day after holiday, for 1-2 days.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Arriving early on the days you know they\u2019re marking stuff down and you\u2019ll have access to the best deals of the week. Also, Internet wisdom notes that if the price ends in the number 4, it\u2019s your last chance to buy before the item gets shipped out to, well, wherever Target merchandise goes to die (some of it ends up at Goodwill, just FYI).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Know where to get coupons\/Discounts<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"450\" class=\"wp-image-121594\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-aisle.jpg\" alt=\"Target aisle\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-aisle.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-aisle-240x300.jpg 240w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you\u2019re shopping Target online, be sure to hit RetailMeNot.com for coupon\/discount codes before you check out\u2014and if you\u2019re looking for in store coupons (particularly for groceries) be sure to head to the Target website first for printable coupons. Also, you\u2019ll want to be sure to sign up for <a href=\"https:\/\/weeklyad.target.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Target\u2019s weekly ad<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><g id=\"wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\" fill=\"none\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_31_188)\">\r\n                            <path d=\"M9.16724 14.8891L20.1672 3.88908\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M13.4497 3.53554L20.5208 3.53554L20.5208 10.6066\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M17.5 13.5L17.5 16.26C17.5 17.4179 17.5 17.9968 17.2675 18.4359C17.0799 18.7902 16.7902 19.0799 16.4359 19.2675C15.9968 19.5 15.4179 19.5 14.26 19.5L7.74 19.5C6.58213 19.5 6.0032 19.5 5.56414 19.2675C5.20983 19.0799 4.92007 18.7902 4.73247 18.4359C4.5 17.9968 4.5 17.4179 4.5 16.26L4.5 9.74C4.5 8.58213 4.5 8.0032 4.73247 7.56414C4.92007 7.20983 5.20982 6.92007 5.56414 6.73247C6.0032 6.5 6.58213 6.5 7.74 6.5L11 6.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                        <\/g>\r\n                        <defs>\r\n                            <clipPath id=\"clip0_31_188\">\r\n                                <rect fill=\"white\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\"\/>\r\n                            <\/clipPath>\r\n                        <\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/a> to be delivered to your inbox to peruse the latest sales before you go (you can also get mobile reminders or sign up for their RSS feed).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t ignore the endcaps<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"278\" class=\"wp-image-121595\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-stores.jpg\" alt=\"Collage of Target stores&#039; exteriors\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-stores.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-stores-300x152.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Sure, the end of the aisles is where they put all those fancy-schmancy displays that try to entice you into buying stuff you don\u2019t need, but if you hit the OTHER end of the displays\u2014the ones closest to the walls typically, you\u2019ll find shelves and baskets full of super-cheap clearance items. We\u2019ve purchased lots of stuff here for next to nothing, but be careful about expiration dates. In our experience this is always worth a look.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Not all targets are created equal<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>It\u2019s worth shopping a couple different Targets to find one that has the stock to match your needs. For example, Angela\u2019s local Target (in the desolate retail wasteland that is southwestern Illinois) is less than 10 minutes away and is fine for general merchandise, like beauty goods, electronics, etc., but the apparel section? Sadly limited.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So, having scouted around a bit, she knows that the Target that\u2019s about 25 minutes away in St. Louis has a MUCH larger and far more stylish selection of apparel\u2014so when she knows she\u2019s in the market for, say, a new go-to dress or a pair of great pumps, she\u2019ll plan a special trip to the store with the best selection.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"202\" class=\"wp-image-121597\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-gift-card.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-gift-card.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-gift-card-300x110.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use the tbf gift card strategy to control your spending<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"405\" class=\"wp-image-121598\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-aisles.jpg\" alt=\"Inside of a Target store \" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-aisles.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-aisles-300x221.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Target is one of those stores that sort of hypnotizes us \u2014 we go in for some Dove shampoo, and leave with two sundresses, a new set of <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/target-pajamas\/\">pajamas<\/a>, those tempting chocolates and an mp3 player.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So, while we can\u2019t load a gift card for every individual item we need, if you do have some things to pick up and you know you\u2019ll be tempted, have a Target card loaded with however much you can afford to spend and take no other payment options with you. Or if you don\u2019t mind carrying cash, take only how much you can afford to spend and not a penny more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don\u2019t buy items you can get cheaper elsewhere<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"413\" class=\"wp-image-121600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-green.jpg\" alt=\"\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-green.jpg 550w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-green-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/target-green-320x240.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/target-green.jpg\" alt=\"Target green shopping\" title=\"\">\r\n<figcaption>source<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Shop Target for what Target is best at \u2014 budget-friendly shoes, accessories, apparel, furniture\/housewares, possibly holiday items. But if you also shop regularly at someplace like, say, Wal-Mart, where we KNOW you can pick up that Jergen\u2019s lotion cheaper, save those items for your next trip to WM.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>We know, we know \u2014 it requires some planning, but even if it\u2019s only 20 cents cheaper, multiply that by 6 items per trip and you\u2019ll see it adds up pretty quick. Then you\u2019ll have more to spend on that cute Anya Hindmarch handbag at Target later<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Green shopping<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If eco-friendly shopping is important to you, Target is one of the few budget-friendly retailers that gives you some real options to shop, everything from recycled paper goods (including stationery), recycled glassware, organic bedding, and selected items of organic clothing and sleepwear.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watch the news for collabs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Target has mastered the art of teaming up with designers to bring high-design to the masses. Pay attention to Target news releases, though. You can only snag something from one of the <a class=\"rank-math-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/target-designer-collaborations\/\">Target designer collaboration<\/a> collection if you act fast &#8212; these have been known to sell out in minutes.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ah, you say \u2014 you already know about shopping at Target.&nbsp;In fact, you\u2019ve spent so much time there that you should be eligible for some kind of lifetime achievement award. Okay, we\u2019ll give you that\u2014but are you shopping it in the smartest way possible? Perhaps not. Here are&nbsp;our tips for maximizing your Tar-jay experience. Shopping&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/shopping\/how-to-shop-target\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">How-to: Shopping at target<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":58191,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[28,106],"class_list":["post-9082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-shopping-guide","tag-dresses","tag-target"],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":58191,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/05\/target-e1337463801818-300x226.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9082"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9082\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}