How to Save at Target: The Ultimate Guide to Circle & Clearance
We have all been there: you go to Target for shampoo and walk out with a cart full of throw pillows and snacks. Target is designed to make you spend, but with the right strategy, you can beat the system. By combining the free Target Circle app, the Circle Card discount, and the new rules for price matching, you can dramatically lower your total at checkout.
💡 Quick Take: The "Holy Trinity" of Target savings is simple: 1. Clip offers in the Target Circle App. 2. Pay with the Target Circle Card (Debit or Credit) to save an extra 5%. 3. Use Drive Up to avoid impulse buys inside the store.
❌ Myth vs. ✅ Fact
Myth: "Target still price matches Amazon and Walmart."
Fact: Target has officially updated its policy to end competitor matching. You can now only price match to Target.com (if the online price is lower than the store price).
🔍 Pro-Tip: Want to find hidden clearance? Use these searches: "Target Clearance", "Target Circle Week", or "Gift Card Promos".
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These strategies set you up for long-term wins. For today's limited-time offers and weekly ad highlights, head straight to our live round-up:
➡ See All Current Target Deals💡 Hack #1: The Circle Card (It's Not Just Credit)
The Target Circle Card (formerly RedCard) is the most powerful tool in the store. It gives you an automatic 5% off almost everything, free shipping on online orders, and an extra 30 days for returns.
Important: You do NOT need a credit card. The Debit version links directly to your checking account and offers the exact same perks with zero credit check.
💡 Hack #2: Master the "Gift Card" Math
Target is famous for promos like "Buy $50 in Household Items, Get a $10 Gift Card."
The Trick: You can stack this!1. Activate any Target Circle offers for those items.2. Pay with your Circle Card.
Note: The 5% Circle Card discount is calculated after the value of the free gift card is subtracted from your total.
💡 Hack #3: Scan Everything in the App
Never trust the shelf price blindly. Open the Target app and use the barcode scanner on every item in your cart. You might find a Target Circle offer you missed or discover that the price on Target.com is cheaper. If the online price is lower, show it to the cashier for an instant match.
💡 Hack #4: Use "Drive Up" to Lock Prices
Drive Up isn't just convenient; it's a budget tool. By ordering in the app, you lock in online pricing and ensure you get the item before it sells out. Plus, staying in your car means you avoid the "Target Effect" of buying 10 items you didn't plan for.
💡 Hack #5: Upgrade to Circle 360 (Optional)
If you need speed, consider Target Circle 360. It is a paid membership that gives you unlimited same-day delivery on orders over $35 via Shipt. If you order delivery more than twice a month, the membership fee usually pays for itself compared to paying individual delivery fees.
ad$ense💡 Insider Trick: The "Endcap" Clearance
Clearance items at Target rarely stay in their original aisle. Employees move them to the Endcaps (the shelves at the ends of the aisles) facing the back of the store. Always walk the main perimeter and check these endcaps for yellow clearance stickers offering 30-70% off.
🎯 The Takeaway
To win at Target, you need a routine: Clip offers in the Circle App, check for a Target.com price match, and always pay with your Circle Card (Debit is fine!) to save that final 5%. Do this, and you will never pay full price again.
P.S. Shopping beyond Target? Browse our always-fresh Deals & Coupons, sharpen your strategy with Savings Tips & Hacks, and pad your budget with Earn Cash Rewards.