7 Target Shopping Hacks Money Expert Rachel Cruze Recommends

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Walking into Target can sometimes wreak havoc on your wallet if you go without a plan or at least a strategy session of some kind. You can enter with the intention of buying face wash and leave with $300 worth of candles and home decor.

Money expert Rachel Cruze can help you hone your Target shopping skills with these seven money-saving hacks. 

Utilize Target’s Return Policy 

Luckily, Target shoppers rarely have to deal with buyer’s remorse thanks in large part to the store’s return policy. You don’t have to sit on a purchase that you regret or even cut your losses well after you buy something.

Cruze points out, “Target’s return policy is pretty much the gold standard. It is really great because I love it when companies are established enough that you’re they’re able to accept your returns more than just, you know, a week or two after you purchase them.

“Target’s return policy gives customers 90 days and if you have the Target Circle card then you get an extra 30 days to bring merchandise back which is awesome. Let’s say that you lost your receipts (from a random purchase that maybe you never used) then they can actually scan your driver’s license and give you store credit as long as that item is still in stock.”

Take Advantage of Target’s Takeback Programs

Takeback and trade-in options are not only a great way to save money but to also repurpose unused goods. This keeps your wallet as full and landfills as empty as possible where your purchases are concerned.

Here’s what Cruze says about Target’s takeback options.

“Their denim takeback event happened a couple of months ago but there are still several deals like this that they offer throughout the year. Basically, you can bring in a pair of jeans from any brand even if they’re not at Target and you can exchange them for 20% off a purchase of a new Target denim jeans,” she said. “Then, they upcycle your unwanted pair, so whether that means that they recycle the material or they’re donating those jeans to charity they’re doing something with them.

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“Their car seat trade-in program is another great example of this. They do this a couple of times throughout the year so be sure to do your research and check it out, but basically you can bring your used car seat that your child has outgrown (again whether it’s from Target or not) and they’ll give you 20% back a new car seat, stroller or select home baby gear.”

Upcycle With Target’s Diaper Exchange

Cruze’s third shopping hack slightly extends the first two but remains incredibly practical and economical. Having a baby is expensive, especially when it comes to the sheer cost and volume of diapers you’ll go through until your child is potty trained. That’s why Cruze is a huge advocate for Target’s diaper exchange option. 

“You can bring back any unopened pack of diapers, even if they weren’t purchased from Target, and you can receive store credit for whatever the Target value of that diaper pack is. Again, you just give them your driver’s license and they give you store credit no questions asked. If you had a baby shower and people bought you a ton of the newborn size diapers (and they’re in those for like two days) and you have like three boxes of them you can take them back and you get store credit.

“Similarly, Target will give you a full refund for any baby clothes that you’ve bought from them within a year of the purchase if you have your receipt. This benefits both the consumer and the business because, number one, it keeps the consumer from throwing away any extra unused diapers or clothes that the kids have outgrown, or that you don’t need anymore. Number two, it gets more shoppers in the stores when they receive their store credit or refund.”

Clip Those Target Circle App Coupons

Though clipping isn’t necessary anymore for online app coupons, the principle remains the same. You can save a bundle on items curated for your shopping habits.

Cruze says, “When you download the Target Circle app you also put in your phone number and what can happen is coupons will automatically be there for the purchases that you’re buying there at checkout. So what you can do is select ‘view’ to manage any other bonuses or coupons or rebates, but again, this is a really easy way to get some coupons from Target.”

Peruse the Dollar Aisle

Just because there is a dollar aisle doesn’t mean you have to shop in the dollar aisle, however, if you have specific needs on your list that are stocked there, taking a look couldn’t hurt. Impulse buying is one thing, but saving money is another.

About Target’s Bullseye Program or Dollar Spot, Cruze advises, “I’ve always said to be careful about this but sometimes you can peruse and it could be a good deal. The dollar aisle, let’s be honest, there can be so many impulse purchases that happen here and some of it’s just crap. 

“I usually skip this aisle completely but I saw these cups there, they were these cute like plastic kind of cups and they were like a do $2. Those were very inexpensive and my kids are obsessed and love them. If you’ve not downloaded every dollar and done your budget do that because it gives you permission to spend so if you peruse and find something in the dollar aisle that you want you don’t have to break the budget.” 

Point Your Feet Toward the Shoe Section

Shoe shopping, especially when doing it for the whole family, can be quite expensive. Luckily target has men’s, women’s and children’s shoes that are both stylish and affordable. Cruze highly recommends doing all your family shoe shopping at Target. 

“Target shoe shopping is great when you are in a pinch. We were going out of town on a vacation with the kids and I realized we literally had no nice sandals for them-  my kids just wear tennis shoes and like Crocs all day every day. We were going to a few dinners on this vacation I was like y’all need like nice shoes. 

“Target made it quick and easy and pretty inexpensive- like they’re very affordable and they were great. The kids loved them got to pick out some nice sandals.”

Swipe Your Target Red Card For 5% Savings

If you frequent Target enough to merit having your own Target card, then the Target Red Card is a great way to save while you spend. Cruze saves the best for last when recommending Target shopping hacks.

“My seventh Target shopping hack is the 5% savings from the Target Red Card the debit card of course- yes y’ they have a debit card. It’s fantastic and also it applies to the Starbucks that is inside the Target stores,” she said.

“What I like about it too is it’s on the app so even if you don’t have the physical card you can have your barcode and you just scan it right there and pay for it all right there through the app.”

Essentially, the Target Red Card has built-in savings and makes using it user-friendly. You don’t even need to worry about remembering your card as you can access your account info through the Target app. This way you never miss a discount.