If you are anything like me and most of my mom friends, Target is like the Mothership! Target is my homeland- a go to place for all the essentials, a calm among the storm of daily life when I just need some retail therapy and an easy get in and out (or now even Drive-Up!) when you’re in a hurry or just not feeling it. As much as I LOVE TARGET, I always love a great deal and am so excited to share my favorite Target Shopping SECRETS this holiday season!

1. Use Cartwheel. Are you signed up for Target’s free App Cartwheel? If not, you are missing out on awesome savings tailored just for you. In addition to savings, Cartwheel also allows you to shop and track your purchases right from your phone anytime. I love this feature because as long as I enter my phone number or scan my barcode at checkout I am able to track all of my purchases. This was a game changer for my busy, teacher-mom life. I also love that you an use the app to create orders and have them delivered or use their Drive-Up service. Both super helpful and time savers. I’ve even used the delivery option to deliver last minute gifts to my out of state family. LIFE SAVER!
2. Pricematch. I love that Target price matches their online prices and I have saved a tun expecially on toys and books. Here’s how it works: Anytime you are buying a big (or really any price) item, just look up that same item in the app. Often the online price will be lower. I have especially noticed that toys and books can be deeply discounted online. When you get to checkout simply let them know you’d like to price match and viola! They will update the price! Easy, peasy! Not convinced? Recently I was shopping Melissa and Doug Toys and noticed the Scoop and Serve Ice Cream Shop was $31.99 online. I was surprised as my kiddos have begged for this toy in the past and I’ve never seen it go below $40. On a trip into my local store the next day, the same toy was $64.99 in store. That is over 50% savings just by looking in the app. WOW!
3. Redcard savings. Do you have a Target Redcard? If not, you are missing out on 5% savings on every Target purchase. Whether you choose the Target Visa Redcard credit card or the Debit card version that pulls money right out of your bank account, you save with every purchase. Signing up is super easy you just ask your cashier and get ready to start saving!
4. Save 5% of gift cards. Got your RedCard? Good, becuase remember that 5% savings I mentioned? Well you can even apply that toward gift card purchases. Target has a wide selection of gift cards to your favorite retailers and restaurants. My favorite gift card picks include Target (of course! Give what you love!), Starbucks, Macy’s and my faaaaaaavorite Disney! Pick out any gift card Target sells and unless their are retailer specific exclusions, (which I personally have never encountered, I could see it happening though) you will pay 5% less than the amount you are buying the card for. Amazing!