This week's $5.82 Target trip

I am totally loving Target right now! See all that stuff pictured? I paid $5.82 for all it. Yep, $5.82!

Here's the breakdown:

1 Glade Fragrance Collection 2 oz. candle--$2.49, used $3/1 coupon, free plus overage (see more details on this deal here)
1 Renu Contact Solution--$1.54, used $2/1 coupon here, free plus overage
10 sticks of cheese--$0.40 each, used 5 $1/2 coupons here, free plus overage
2 General Mills cereal cups--$0.95 each, used 2 $1/1 coupons here, free plus overage
6 small loaves of Artisan bread--$0.99 each, used 6 $1/1 coupons here, free after coupons
2 travel-size bottles of All laundry detergent--$0.99 each, used 2 $1/1 coupons from the 8/2 RedPlum insert, free after coupons
4 travel-size packages of Tide--$1.07 each, used $1/1 coupons from the 8/2 P&G insert, $0.07 each after coupons
5.23 pounds bananas--$0.58/pound, used 4 $0.50/pound coupons here, $1.53 after coupons (I should have weighed these more carefully! I didn't realize this coupon was expired when I was planning my shopping trip, but Target willingly accepted these.)
5 Gala apples--on sale for $0.99/pound, $2.47
2 Carmex--$1.04 each, used $1/1 coupons here, $0.04 each after coupons
2 packages of BIC mechanical pencils--$1.24 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 8/9 SmartSource insert stacked with the $1/2 Target coupon here, $0.24 per package after coupons
6 packages of BIC pens--$0.99 each, used 3 $1/2 coupons from the 8/9 SmartSource insert stacked with 3 $1/2 Target coupons here, free after coupons
7 boxes Fiber One cereal--$2.50 each, used 5 $0.75/1 coupons here (and from a mailer), used 7 $1/1 coupons here--$0.25 per box after coupons and gift card promotion
3 boxes Fiber One bars--$2.50 each, used 3 $0.40/1 coupons here, $1.10 each after coupons and gift card

My total was $15.82 after coupons. I used the $10 in gift cards I had earned last week and then I earned another $10 in gift cards for buying 10 Fiber One products. So all totaled, I only spent $5.82 out of pocket for everything pictured above!

You can see more details on these deals here.

Comments

[Kelly Tirman]

wow - that is insane.

[Jennifer]

I didn't realize that Target allows you to use multiple store coupons. I have never tried it. I thought the coupons said only one per transaction.

[Julie Nickerson]

Our Target doesn't let us use $1 of Man. coupons if the product is under $1.

I am LOVING it to these days! I've been able to snag so many great deals this week.

[Jessica]

That is amazing!! Great job. I wish my Target was more coupon friendly :(

[Stephanie]

I went to Target to do the Fiber One deal but the cereals were marked at 3.99 per box. Ouch! So I decided not to do it! I got quite few other great deals though. Great shopping trip :)

[Honey]

That's a fabulous shopping trip!

[Tina]

Envy envy!! Such great buys!

I hardly ever shop at my Target. The cashiers are very nasty at the few times I ever shop there. They would never let me use 4 50 cents coupon for the banana.... unless I do it in 4 transaction...

[Sarah]

wow! that's great! do you find that you have different experiences depending on what the cashier is like? Last week (my first Target trip with coupons) was GREAT; I had an experience like yours b/c the cashier took all my coupons and didn't ask any questions. But then this week, the cashier called in the manager and they wouldn't accept anything except the FiberOne coupons b/c my coupons created overages or were for items "not pictured" on the actual coupon. Any suggestions for having consistent trips?

[elizabeth]

How can I find a Target that will accept more than 1 of their coupon types? For example, every Target I have been to would only have allowed 1 $1 off Target coupon to use in the entire transaction. I have been to numerous Targets and they all say that 1 of each type of Target coupon is the max per transaction. Any thoughts???

[April Newman]

Good job, Crystal! I'm impressed!

[Julie]

You are so good at this!!! I wish we had a SuperTarget in St. Louis, but the closest one is in NE Iowa! I guess I could go when we visit family up there, but it's not that important!

[FrugalChick]

WOW!!

[Jennifer]

You are very lucky! My Target would never allow this transaction. If I have a coupon for more than the cost of the product they refuse to take the coupon. I have even pulled a manager into this and he said they are not allowed to, company policy and they cannot mark down the coupon even if the difference is only a penny.

[Ellen]

WOW! Since we've begun homeschooling again (and the fact that I want to be more selective with purchases/improve our eating habits/make more things from scratch...), I haven't had as much time to dedicate to heavy-duty couponing. That's okay though - our pantry is well-stocked to last some of the leaner couponing times.

[Jessica]

The targets near me don't have produce or meat-- are you going to a super Target?

[Michelle]

WOW!! That's great!! Apparently your Target is not funny about accepting multiple stacked coupons in one visit like mine is! Smart shopping! :)

[Leisa]

Simply astonishing. Way to go, Crystal!

[Lea]

Good run!

I wish our Target was that kind - they don't take coupons that are more than the face value of the item. I've tried several times to get 'free' items and they refuse to take the coupons - $1 off a 97 cent item for example - and they won't take coupons on travel size items at all! I suggested to the manager that they just take off the 97 cents and they won't. Ugh.

I'll have to check out the almost free deals though.
Thanks for your great blog, Crystal!
Lea

[amy]

Do you do separate transactions for items using target q? The fine print indicates you can only use one q per transaction.
Thanks,
amy

[Connie R.]

I am new to Target shopping. Is it possible to do this all in one transaction? Will they let you use multiple target coupons? Thanks in advance for your help.

[JenT]

Question...my Target wouldn't take the All coupons on the trial size b/c the coupon was for $1 off but they only cost $.99. Is this normal? They said they can't give you overage. I've read different things about Target's policy in the past. I love Target and would love to get these deals! Thanks for any info! :)

[Becky]

Fantastic job!

[Melanie]

I've been told you can only use one type of Target coupon per transaction (i.e - one artisan bread, etc.) Are others finding you can use more? Does it depend on the Target store and cashier?

[Elizabeth Rotering]

Hi Crystal,

Were you able to purchase this in one transaction or did you do multiple transactions?

Some of those coupons say one coupon per transaction.

Thanks,
Elizabeth

[Gina]

I was wondering how you got to use the banana coupons since they expired on the 5th. Also---did the cashier's give you any trouble with GMills single cup use for the coupon? I've been reading about their new coupon policy and thought those were on the list of not being able to be used anymore. Thought I'd ask before I trek into town for a similar deal!

[mandy]

I love Target, too, but was disappointed on my last trip. My cashier wouldn't let me use more than one coupon from the same manufacturer, like 3 fiber one coupons, in the same transaction. Also, they will no longer accept coupons over the amount of the item. So sad!! You got some great deals!

[Merrilee]

WOW. That's all I can say.

[Denise @ Together We Save]

Wow - that is awesome!!

[deann]

great, but my greensboro, nc target trip was a nightmare
i was told that i could only use one coupon at a time, and if the coupon caused the item to be free, it would not be allowed. i called corporate and i could barely understand the womans accent, she took my name and store and that was it said she forward complaint, went to service desk and they refused to call manager. i was only trying to buy full size items, and was subjected to a tirade about people trying to use coupons fraudently, which i was not, my coupons would not have caused any overage, i had shopped there last week no problem. the cashier stated that it was illegal to use one coupon per item, that is was supposed to be one coupon per transaction, and no target and manuf. coupons could be used at the same time.

[Crystal]

Great Job! Hi from KC! I went to superTarget in Lee's Summit last Saturday after they mailed me a booklet of coupons worth more than $20, and a $5 off $50 grocery purchase. My cashier took multiple coupons, however, she did something I have never seen before. When I walked up, she didn't have a line - the reason we even stopped there - to look for some of the candy there are target coupons for. She came around the end and told us the coupons were not for check out candy, only regular size, because the coupons would cause an overage. Seemed helpful. Then she asked for my coupons - before I had my items on the counter. She put a coupon on top of each item, and when she scanned the item, she scanned the coupon. Of course, she missed a few, so she had 5 or 6 left at the end, including my $5 off $50. When she tried to scan it, of course, I had only $36 in groceries (because of all the coupons taken off so far). She said "see that, it won't let me take it off." Like I hadn't spent $50! I just took it back from her. Very disheartening. She did however adjust the coupons for the lower priced items, like the artisan bread. But apparently they don't do the gift card after purchase, because I have tried several times with the deals you show and never gotten one. Glad to hear you are still getting really good deals!!

[Liz]

I've had the same problems at Target expressed previously. I've stopped going to Target for these type of purchases because it is not worth the hassle.

[Suzanne B]

It just so happens I am headed to Target today :)

I already had a decent stack but I am now adding to it. Thanks for sharing the great deals. Now only am I feeding MY family, but I have DOUBLED my donations to my local Food Bank.

[Sandy]

You could have done better on the Fiber One Cereal, that is, if they had more. If you would have bouight 5, used 5 $1 Target q's and 3 75 cent q's, you would have paid 25 cents total for 5 boxes. Then, if you would have bought another 5 boxes, you could have used 5 $1 Target coupons and 2 75 cent coupons, and you would have paid $1.00 for 5 more boxes. Your total cost would have been $1.25 for 10 boxes.

*******************
Money Saving Mom here: Absolutely, but I didn't really want the Fiber One cereal, I mostly wanted the bars. :) We like those a lot. The cereal? Not so much. I'll probably share it with someone who does like it.

I was somewhat limited on coupons and our store was out of the toaster pastries, so I just worked with what I had.

[Jen]

Target is such a great store in so many ways. I hope that there are some Target executives that follow this blog and can work on Target being more consistenly coupon friendly as it seems to vary so much not only store to store, but cashier to cashier.

[Kimberly]

I wish I had a Target! Good job!

[Money Saving Mom]

For those who asked:

Yes, our Target allows you to use more than one Target coupon per transaction. Since it's a store coupon and there is no official policy, it is up to the prerogative of each store. Some stores and managers are more coupon friendly than others, so I try to stick with those stores I've found to encourage use of coupons.

Hope that helps!

[Jan]

no super Target here- the regular Target carries very little groceries= also they don't take multiple coupons or internet coupons unless they are Target coupons- I'm not that impressed with Target

[Lori]

I followed the advice I read here yesterday and sent an email to Target corporate/customer service requesting the coupon policy. I received the policy today, printed it out, and plan on taking it with me each and everytime I shop there! I used this form.
http://www.target.com/gp/help/display-contact-us-form.html?displayLink=gro

[Toni]

Careful on those Fiber One products. HEAVY on the fiber. I used to get the bars but none of us can eat them anymore. :(

Great deals!

*********************
Money Saving Mom here: We've bought lots and lots of Fiber One bars over the past few years and we really like them. We especially like the Oats and Chocolate variety. We eat a high-fiber diet so we've never had any adverse side effects, though I know some who have had them.

[Sarah]

Wow, you did well! I didn't even think about using my Carmex coupons - I should have! I also need to use up my Bic coupons.

I don't know if this was previously addressed in the comments but people keep asking how you can use more than one Target coupon per transaction. It totally depends on the store and the cashier (which is sad) but I have almost always been able to use more than 1 Target coupon in a transaction of the same type. I assume Crystal has the same experience I do. I have also heard that there poicy is to accept more than one, they just list that on the coupon to assure that for items that are limited in quanity (if a store only gets a small quanity) then one person can't take them all. I am not sure if everyone has talked to the store manager or not, but I would encourage everyone who has problems to talk to the manager or to get the corporate coupon policy in writing and take it with you if you have to. Good luck everyone!

I did pretty well also! I paid $8.87 oop and got a $5 gift card and it said I saved $87.79! Yay! Here is my transaction - http://123vests.blogspot.com/2009/09/another-great-target-trip.html

[Laurie L.]

I have stopped shopping at Target all together due to the rudeness that I've experienced there. I intended to give it another try with the Fiber One deal, and was only trying to use one cereal coupon and one bars coupon, but was told that I was only allowed one coupon per transaction. They lost a good customer over 40 cents, which they would have been reimbursed for. :(

Great job though MSM! I like to hear that others have good experiences!

[Brooke P]

You're lucky to have a Super Target! Not one here for 100 miles. I really try to be honest and forthcoming with my coupons and it is frustrating when I am treated poorly by cashiers or managers. I really just know the few gals that understand the policy and treat me well and I shop during those times!

I even showed the manager the email from Target Corporate the last time I had coupon trouble and she treated me like I was nuts and refused to even look at it. It's just not worth the trouble and frustration and Target needs to know that we are not shopping there as much as we would if the cashiers were better educated. However, I don't want to call too many times and cause too much trouble, because I don't want them to radically change their policy and make it more strict!

[Beth]

I used to love going to Target, but as of last week the Target in Lawrence, KS would not allow me to use coupons if the coupon was more than the price of the item. I had no problem the week before. I ended up leaving with nothing but the coupons I went in with. Very sad...
Topeka's Target has been a consistent hassle, so I guess I am done with the great deals at Target.

[KimN]

there is no link for the fiber one cereal
Thanks

[Amy]

I had an awesome trip today with the hubby and 2 babies nonetheless. I used multiple Target qs and manu qs, and my cashier only questioned the $2/1 any Huggies I gave her. At my Target, it truly depends on the cashier - there's one there that likes to give me a hard time every time, so I avoid her.

[Tanya]

Each store takes different coupons. It depends on the cashier and at three philadelphia targets i visit, we cant use any coupons for trial size items. it sucks!! they all have different sales. i hate that i have to run around town looking for them. The weekly ads doesnt advertise such sales or clearance. I wish i could visit your target. LOL :-)
p.s no Super Targets or Super Walmarts in Philly. boooo...

[Janice]

It probably just depends on the area. Here in Atlanta, if it is a Target coupon, the register automatically reduces the coupon so you get no overage, but still get a free item (i.e. artisan bread for 99 cents). No overage on manufacturers coupons though. The register beeps and if your cashier is nice, she can sometimes get it to go through, but not always. Only one Target coupon per deal though, so no multiples in one transaction. It just makes me want to plan my trips more effectively.

We like the Fiber One bars, but the cereal...blah! Lots of weird stuff in the ingredients list! Thanks Crystal!

[Rae]

For those of you having problems with Target and coupons please contact corporate and have them email you their policy then print it and keep it with you.

They do not have to take more than one of each Target coupon per transaction... it's up the the cashier. BUT they DO have to take $1 coupons for $.99 items (an example) because it is in their policy. It says that it will beep but they will adjust it down (they do this using the k2 button).

[SimplyMelissa]

Hey I thought I would just point out that If you have a Walgreens near you, grab one of there ads. I was able to take their ad to my Target and have them match the sale price for their General Mills cereal to $1.99ea. Then I did the Fiber One deal and I paid $1.94 oop and got back $5 GC :D

Check out my blog here:
www.pennywise4life.blogspot.com

I listed how I paid under $3.50 for over $40.00 worth of items!

[Katie]

Today was my last experience with Target and coupons for a long time (tried the Fiber one deal...didn't work out). It completely depends on the store and the cashier (I guess if they've had a good day or not) if they will take your coupons. I would check with the manager or cashiers before you check-out to make sure you don't run into a hassle.