Store by Store: Target

I gave a coupon class this past Tuesday. It was about 2.5 hours long and we covered everything. Well, almost everything. There was a lot that I had to leave out because there just wasn't enough time - and my "students" eyes looked like they were glazing over. It that has gotten me thinking that I need to find a way to explain each store and its policies more completely. So, I've decided to do a little "series" on the various stores and all the ways that you can get good deals - one at a time. If you're just starting out with couponing, it's so much easier to just start with one store. Get used to its rules, policies, quirks - master them - and then add another store. Since I've gotten some great deals at Target in the past couple days, I'll start there!

Ways to Save at Target

1) Get a Redcard. You may be like me and not want any more credit cards - so this is where you're in luck. You apply for a Redcard Debit Card (right at the checkout - and it attaches itself to your checking account, just like your bank debit card! There are no fees for having this card - only savings! Every time you use it (only at Target), you save an immediate 5%! Yesterday, I saved an additional 1.35! That's pretty good considering I clipped no coupons and spent zero time trying to save that money. What I just found out: you can use it for purchases on target.com too and here's the big thing: you get 100% free shipping no matter what the amount of your total - when you use your Target Debit Card!!! Today I logged into my *ShopAtHome account, did a search for Target and clicked on the shop now button. It directed me to Target where I logged into my account there. I did a search for long-sleeve onesies (I've been needing these for my 14 month old). Target's having a sale on their apparel today (B1G50%) - so I ordered 2 packs. Then I used promo code TGTF7249 to get an additional $2.50 off. Then I used my Redcard Debit Card - it took an addtional 5% off, plus gave me free shipping! If I had gone to my local Target, those same two packages of onesies would have cost me $9.98 + tax. I saved a whopping $15.11 and will have them shipped to my door! LOVE IT! Oh yeah - and since I went through ShopAtHome, I'll get 6% of what I spent deposited into my ShopAtHome account!!! :)

order summary.
	subtotal:	$19.98
	REDcard rewards	-$0.62
	promotion discounts	-$7.50
	shipping:	$6.99
	shipping discounts	-$6.99
	estimated taxes:	$1.37
	your price:	$13.23
	total savings	$15.11 (53%)

2) Target allows you to stack coupons! If you go to target.com and scroll all the way to the bottom of the page under the "ways to save" - click on coupons. It will take you to all their store coupons (normally about 150 coupons). These coupons can be stacked with manufacturer coupons for super savings. Just click the ones you want, print, and pair with your manufacturer coupons! There is no limit to the number you can use (unless you get a finicky manager)!

3) Target offers gift cards deals that vary from week to week. You'll have to check your Target weekly ad, and also various websites (like totallytarget.com) for the current week's deals. Yesterday I was able to get a $5 gift card when I purchased $25 worth of Kimberly Clark (KC) items. KC manufacturers Huggies, Kleenex, Cottonelle, and many other brands. I bought 2 packages of Huggies Diapers for $9.49 each, and 5 boxes of Kleenex for $1.39 each. Between Target and Manufacturer coupons, I was able to take $11 off of my $27 bill and then get the $5 gift card (which I used on my next transaction)! So, basically I spent

4) When you take in your own re-usable bags, you get a $.15 discount taken off your purchase! Now that I'm typing this, I'm thinking it may be only $.05. Maybe one of you can verify this for me. Whichever, it's a pretty easy way to save a few pennies!

If you know of other ways to get amazing deals at Target, feel free to leave a comment! I'm always looking for more ways to save!

*More on ShopAtHome later. It's an amazing online tool for saving extra money. You can click here to visit their site and create an account!