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14 Things You Should Be Buying at Target

Get the most bang for your buck with these food and home items.

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Expect more, pay less

Target, with its endless aisles of red tags and bullseyes, is a favorite of shoppers all across America. The massive store chain is a haven of sales on items from home decor to grocery items and everything in between. In a post-COVID world, finding the best price for items you need is more important than ever.

While many assume Target (or its competitor, Walmart) has the best deal on all items, consumers should be aware of which products are actually offered for the best price. Moreover, because Target specializes in almost everything (and nearly guarantees you’ll be walking out of the store with more items than you bargained for), it’s important to know which items you’re not buying that you should be. If you’re not careful, you might end up missing out on some of the best sales in the store without realizing it. On your next Target run, expect more and pay less by dropping these items in your cart, and make sure you know the things Walmart won’t sell anymore so you can grab them on your Target run.

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Cleaning supplies

Remember when everyone was stocking up on cleaning supplies to keep themselves and their families safe? Lysol wipes, hand sanitizers, bleach, soap, and other cleaning supplies were once in short supply, but are now largely available on the shelves. The Target brand “Up & Up,” with its easily identifiable arrow symbol, offers unbeatable deals on a number of cleaning and everyday items. Julie Ramhold, Consumer Analyst with DealNews.com, notes, “Not only do they often have reasonable prices outright, but Target tends to offer gift cards when you purchase a certain number or amount of items in these offers.” You’re likely buying more cleaning supplies than ever and Target wants to reward your loyalty.

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Frozen fruits and veggies

Stocking up on frozen fruits and vegetables is a convenient way to eat more nutrient-dense foods, without food waste. Target’s frozen fruits and veggies eliminate the possibility of tossing rotten or forgotten produce. According to a Consumer Reports test, the mixed frozen vegetables from Target’s Market Pantry brand were just as crisp and fresh-tasting as Birds Eye.

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Nuts, seeds, and trail mix

Although nuts are high in calories and fat, they’re nutritional powerhouses. In fact, research shows that eating nuts and seeds daily could lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes, and it may even lengthen your life, according to Harvard Medical School. That said, nuts and seeds could cost a pretty penny, which is why the Market Pantry trail mix and nut packet variations are so appealing. And at $5.30 for a 26-oz mixed package, you can’t go wrong. Find out the most inexpensive day to go shopping and more cheapest days of the week to do absolutely anything.

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Spices

Seasoning and spices are necessary items to have on hand. Although a little spice can go a long way in some recipes, spices themselves are expensive pantry staples. Target, however, has lots of spices at great prices under their Market Pantry label. Staple seasonings like ground cinnamon, onion powder, and garlic powder are available for a little over $1—and the reviews are glowing. See what other inexpensive Target products you can pick up for only $7 or less.

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Paper towels, toilet paper, and tissues

Though the Great Toilet Paper Shortage and Run of 2020 is over, you never want to be short on paper products. For your average everyday spills, Target’s Up & Up Paper Towels fit the bill. The towels are high scorers in absorbency and wet strength on Consumer Reports‘ paper towel rating and review list (just beware of what you shouldn’t clean with paper towels). Plus, the Up & Up brand also sells tissues and toilet paper—both of which have rave reviews too. Target gives lots of coupons for Up & Up with receipts as well.

Further, Ramhold reminds us that Target can be a great choice for paper products when you can’t (or don’t have the space to) buy in bulk: “Target offers bigger packs of these products for decent prices, rather than just buying single rolls or two packs…shoppers can buy moderate amounts without having to find space for 96 rolls of toilet paper in their homes.” Going on your first post-COVID Walmart trip? These are the things you won’t see in Walmart anymore.

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Several cans of La Croix Sparkling water. La Croix is a sparkling water beverage distributed by Sundance Beverage Company.
digitalreflections/Shutterstock

Sparkling water

Target sells LaCroix, a sparkling water brand with a cult-like following, including harder-to-find flavors like Passionfruit and Key Lime, according to reviews. And if you’re looking for a more cost-friendly alternative, the Simply Balanced Target brand for flavored sparkling water costs just over $3 for an eight-pack. Check out these amazing dollar store deals on products you may now want to get there all the time.

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target furniture

Furniture

“If you’re still working from home and you’re tired of using your coffee table as a desk space, you can find affordable pieces at Target,” says Ramhold. “While they may not become heirloom pieces, you can find solid pieces to outfit your home office that won’t break the bank.” Target has a variety of affordable furniture options for the new post–COVID-19 lifestyle. The furniture will help you make the best of the situation in style. Make sure you know the best time of year to buy cheap finds including discounted furniture.

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heinz
Faiz Zaki/shutterstock

Condiments

Other great grocery-section finds at Target are condiments. Expert taste testers at Consumer Reports found that the Market Pantry Ketchup is just as full-flavored as Heinz. And the Market Pantry Mayonnaise, which rivaled Hellmann’s in taste and texture, costs 25 percent less. While these products are best to buy at Target, the store isn’t the cheapest for everything.

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Generic drugs

A Consumer Reports survey found that Target’s drug prices beat out chain giants like CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. The generic version of Advil at Target, by the Up & Up brand, costs about $2.19 for 100 capsules—compared to $1.59 for a 50 ct for Rite Aid’s store brand, per Consumer Reports. Similarly, prices at Target for Aleve and Allegra 24-hour are less than those at Walgreens and Rite Aid. Even prescriptions are cheaper at Target. Consumer Reports found that generic prescription drugs, such as certain diabetes drugs and antidepressants, could cost as little as $4 for a 30-day supply. Check out these other things you should avoid buying at the drugstore.

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Wine

Sipping vino from a box doesn’t seem so odd when you pay $5 a bottle. Target’s boxed wine, Wine Cube, comes in a three-liter box that is equal to four regular bottles, Delish reports. Unfortunately, you can’t find this product for sale in every Target due to restrictions in individual states.

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Lego blocks - plastic construction toy -manufactured by The Lego Group based in Billund, Denmark - illustrative editorial
Twin Design/Shutterstock

Toys

Target is a major player in the toy store arena—especially when it comes to the holiday season. CBS News reports that the store’s $10 off coupons, combined with the Target coupon app, could offer as much as 40 to 50 percent off toys. “Target is really good at predicting the hot toys for Christmas and pricing them lower than the competition,” Kyle James of Rather-Be-Shopping told gobankingrates.com. “They know once they get shoppers in the toy aisle, they’re probably going to buy other stuff at full price. So, if your child asks for a popular and thus hard-to-find toy this Christmas, be sure to check Target first.” After checking the toys out, read up on the history of Target’s mascot, Bullseye.

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Towels

Bath and hand towels are consistently popular Target items. Not only does the store have a great selection, but they also always have strong sales, gobankingrates.com reports. Target’s Fieldcrest and Threshold brands are especially known for being both soft and durable, according to reviews. Make sure you know how to decode Target’s price tags before your next shopping trip.

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Coffee makers

If you’re heading to the office again after loving working from home, you might want to get your caffeine fix in the house for a while. Target has some of the best coffee makers on the market at great prices. Plus, Target is home to a few exclusive Black & Decker coffeemakers.

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target decor

Home decor

After spending so much time at home last year, are you sick of looking at the same walls? Maybe it’s time to redecorate! Lamps, dishes, and accessory home decor items at Target are the main items interior designers recommend buying, according to TODAY. Target’s trendy designer collaborations let you add stylish decor without breaking the bank. “Side tables, baskets, clocks, vases—they do such a good job putting out great design for relatively little,” Erin Gates, a Boston-based interior designer, stylist, and creator of the blog Elements of Style, told TODAY. Again, the Threshold Target brand reigns supreme in this home-centric category.

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Sources

Emily DiNuzzo
Emily DiNuzzo is a former staff writer at Reader’s Digest. There’s a 90% chance Emily is drinking tea right now, but when she’s not writing about food and health with a cuppa by her side, you can find her lifting at the gym, listening to murder mystery podcasts and liking one too many astrology memes.