I lost track of how many times in college my friends and I made trips to what we jokingly called “Tar-jhay.” Our habitual runs for dorm gear, snacks and costume pieces weren’t guided by any grand plan beyond, “I need this, and I’m pretty sure Target stocks it,” but we often wondered whether we were actually getting the best bargain.
Although I’ve gotten more careful with my cents and sharper about bargain hunting since those days, I still hadn’t mastered how to squeeze the most from my Target savings.
That’s why Lara Parker’s roundup of 16 Secrets for Shopping at Target on BuzzFeed Style thrilled me. Did you know how to read whether an item is on its first markdown or its last clearance? Or where to discover nearly-new Target items for much less than usual?
Below are several standout tips from Parker’s piece:
Decode the Markdown Tag
That tiny red label conveys a lot of useful clues, Parker notes. Look in the top right corner for the markdown percentage and the bottom left for the original price.
The sale price itself gives a hint about whether the product is in its final clearance stage or likely to see additional cuts. Prices that end in $0.04 typically mean final clearance, while tags ending in $0.06 or $0.08 often indicate there could be further reductions.
Check Goodwill for Leftover Final Clearance Items
Missed the window and the item you wanted is gone? You might still locate it at a neighborhood Goodwill location, Parker says, because Target donates unsold stock there. Not only can you score a bargain, but your purchase helps fund local job training and youth mentorship initiatives.
Use Your Phone to Unlock Better Offers
Sign up for mobile coupon alerts via SMS. To stack savings, Parker recommends the Target Cartwheel app. It highlights weekly savings across apparel, groceries and more — and its discounts can be combined with markdowns, coupons and REDcard deals. Get Cartwheel free for your iPhone or Android device (Like this tip? Tweet it!).
Don’t own a smartphone? Tracie at Penny Pinchin’ Mom walks through how to use Cartwheel on a desktop and print the coupons to bring to the store. Also consider ways to save money on groceries while shopping during Cartwheel promotions.
Is There a Markdown Calendar?
Parker includes a list of departments that Target supposedly discounts on specific weekdays. But although this schedule has circulated online for a long time, Snopes contends it’s not accurate. So don’t bank on waiting until Wednesday for deals on diapers or furniture!
Your Turn: What tricks do you use to get the most out of shopping at Target?
