5 super easy ways to improve your next destination trip and save some money

This story is part of 12 days of tipshelping you make the most of your technology, home and health during the holiday season.

It’s a common refrain: You go to Target for one thing and end up buying a bunch of other stuff, too. Target is an attractive shopping destination for so many people because of its affordability, convenience and variety of everyday products. That’s why it’s so easy to spend more than you planned, especially in the new year with a desire to get in shape or try a new hobby.

The great news is that if you’re an avid Target shopper, you can keep shopping and saving with our advice that will guarantee savings in your wallet. All you have to do is make some simple changes, like the day you shop or the payment method you use. Still curious? Well, we’ll walk you through it all, including some well-known savings tips and a secret tip to help you save at the store.

As you read, check out our gift shopping tips Amazon gifts without an address, getting electronics like new at Best Buy and saving money to use Amazon’s Subscribe and Save service.

Shop with your Target RedCard

If you’re a regular Target shopper, it’s worth considering signing up for it Red card, which offers 5% off almost all purchases from the retailer, making it one of the easiest ways to save. You’ve probably heard of Target’s RedCard* before, but you may not know that it comes as a credit, debit or reloadable card according to your preferences, and that it doesn’t require a monthly or annual fee. Opening a RedCard account will also unlock free two-day shipping on thousands of items and give you periodic access to exclusive RedCard deals and promotions.

Sign up for Target’s rewards program

If you want to save money on your purchases but don’t want to sign up for a new card, take a look Target’s free Circle rewards program. The great thing is that you can use these benefits not only online, but also in store. Here are the benefits of being a Circle member:

1. 1% profit when you shop to redeem (or continue to save 5% with RedCard)
2. Access to brand offers
3. 5% discount for one purchase for your birthday (valid for 30 days from your birthday)
4. Community support upvotes directly where Target gives
5. Target Circle Brand Partnerships like Apple and Ulta Beauty.

Getting access to Target’s rewards program is important, especially when you shop at the retailer anyway.

Get a price match guarantee

What some shoppers fail to realize is that Target also offers a price match guarantee. You can request to get a price match from Target any time you see that an item you purchased is cheaper. For an item to be eligible, it must be:

1. During the 14 day window from the time you purchased the item
2. Identical itembrand, size, weight, color, quantity and model number
3. In stock in a lower price on return in a list of contestants Target match
4. Below Target.com or at your local Target store

How to claim a price match

Once you’ve determined if you can get a price match, there are just a few steps to doing so in-store or online. If you’re doing this in-store, here’s what you need to do:

1. Ask for a price match on Take a look
2. Bring it proof of the price you want to match — all print advertising, digital advertising or the merchant’s main website (no photos or photocopies accepted)
3. Bring it original receipt if you have already purchased the item

Online is a bit easier, but your options here are to either call or chat with a representative. You can do this by:

1. Chat with Target representatives online or call 800-591-3869
2. Having the current price you want to match — the digital ad, approved retailer’s website or store target price (photos or photocopies not accepted)
3. When you are order number and item information ready from the start

Browsing Target’s ads and catalogs can save you money on hundreds of items a week

Our top tip for saving money shopping in-store at Target

Now that you know what you can do to get rewards and get price matched if you need it, you can now learn our tip that will give you access to discounted products across the entire retailer.

The first thing you need to know is that this only works for in-store purchases (sorry online shoppers). The next thing is to know when you have to shop at the store. Depending on the day of the week (excluding Saturdays and Sundays) you will find selected products on clearance.

When shopping at your local Target, here’s the cheat sheet to know what products are on sale:

1. Monday: Electronics, children’s clothes and stationery
2. Tuesday: Household goods, women’s clothing, pet products and food
3. Wednesday: Men’s clothing, toys, health and beauty, lawn and garden items
4. Thursday: Home goods, underwear, shoes, sporting goods, movies, music, books, decor and luggage
5. Friday: Automotive, beauty, hardware and jewelry

To confirm our advice, we contacted Target on October 17and received no response.

For more money saving tips take a look how to save money on shipping and use Hidden Amazon Coupons to reduce prices and mandatory items.

*All information about Target RedCard is independently collected by CNET and has not been reviewed by the publisher.