How to Not Sell Your Soul to Target (and Still Be a Target Mom)

Every time I go to Target, I joke that I am going to sell my soul to them. I know I am not the only one who does this (or feels this way). When I walk in the doors, it is a 50/50 chance I’ll go straight to Starbucks, then rummage through the dollar section, take long walks down the aisles skimming items NOT on my list, finding clothes (I don’t need and likely won’t wear), and selling my soul.

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Cleaning supplies, baby supplies, and snacks are my biggest downfall. This is a BIG NO NO seeing as I recently became a fulltime Stay-at-Home Mom and we are working with a reduced income. With that being said, I have mastered the art of shopping at Target AND saving money (and, of course, not selling my soul).

How do I do this, you ask? I am here to let you in on my secrets!

First things first – you NEED to be taking advantage of the REDcard and Cartwheel App.

 

I hear people ALL the time turn down the REDcard because they don’t want another credit card – which is totally understandable – but NEWS FLASH! The REDcard comes in both Debit and Credit Card. Mine is linked directly to my bank account. There is no credit check and there is no debt. And I save 5% on every purchase (sometimes more if I land a REDcard special). Here are a couple extra perks and reasons why you need a REDcard:

Save 5% on every purchase

You get access to specials, products ts, and promotions before non-card members

Free shipping on most items

30 extra days for returns (WHAT!?)

Ability to stack REDcard savings, cartwheel coupons, and Target Subscription Savings

If you don’t have a REDcard, use the link below!

 

So now let’s talk CartWheel.

When you get the Target app, you will have access to CartWheel and your REDcard. (You can actually add your card to the app and check out that way). So as you go through your list, you can scan the items in your cart and get instant savings. When it comes time to check out, you just show them the barcode in your wallet on the target app, they scan the barcode and all of those beautiful savings are deducted from your total. If you are ordering online, simply add the offer, go to your list, and click redeem online. You can also use Cartwheel savings on the app!

I have found that if I purchase Target brands – there tend to be more savings, though this is not always the case. Up&Up, Archer Farms, and the Simply Balanced usually have pretty good deals.

Now, if you use your REDcard, Cartwheel, and manufacturer’s coupons alone – you are going to SAVE money. But there is more – so much more.

My first big step was abandoning the big brands. The areas that I first cut big brands was cleaning, baby supplies, and snacks. I mentioned these three above and for good reason.

 

With cleaning supplies, I’m a sucker for smelly good stuff and low chemicals. There is a time and place for chemicals but I do not feel it is in my everyday routine. I made the switch over from some of the bigger brand and higher priced products – I went to using Target’s Up&Up brand and Method. I also found that there were usually Cartwheel deals on these as well. Shown below are some of my favorite cleaning products.

Baby Supplies are a huge money suck! There are some things I am willing to spend the extra penny on, such as the Happy Baby Brand and Mommy’s Bliss Probiotic Drops (there is a manufacturer’s coupon inside if the box though). We found though that the Up&Up diapers and wipes are amazing! B had super sensitive skin and we only had luck with Honest Company and Pampers Sensitive Diapers. Per recommendation, we tried the Up&Up and fell in love, with the diaper and the cost. They are lightweight, heavy duty, and cost-efficient for a disposable diaper. The wipes hold up well and do their job without falling apart too!

Once I started checking Cartwheel and the Target ads, I started getting snacks on sale, discounted on Cartwheel, and non-named brand. Archer Farms and Simply Balanced are the Target brands and they taste amazing and even hold healthier than some other brands.

So now, you have tips on great brands, the Cartwheel app, AND you are saving 5% on your purchases with your RedCard. We are going to wrap this up with even more awesomeness. I know that long walks down the isles at Target can feel therapeutic but they can also cost a lot of extra money. With that being said, you have a couple more options!

– Free shipping with your RedCard! Plan ahead, put your order in, and have your whole shopping trip delivered to your door! You’ll save on gas, Starbucks, impulse buys, and that new top you really don’t need.

– Target Pickup. It’s super easy! You just pull the app up, order what you need, and select Driveup at checkout. You drive up, an associate will load up your trunk, and you are good to go! You also get to use RedCard and Cartwheel!

I love both of those options because they save so much time! I have started to do a lot of my shopping this way which allows for more time for keeping up the house, being a mindful mother, and being present for my family.  Having the extra savings too – it adds up to a fluffier bank account and less financial stress.

I think these are great options. I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences with Target, their brands, and methods of savings!