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These 7 Target Deals Might Make You Actually Want to Go School Shopping

Dana Miranda, CEPF®

by Dana Miranda, CEPF®

Contributor

Elementary school teacher Sophie Gray shops the back-to-school deals at a Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Monday July 31, 2017.
Elementary school teacher Sophie Gray shops the back-to-school deals at a Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla., on Monday July 31, 2017. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder
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When I think of school shopping, I think of doing it as a kid. It was one of my favorite times all year.

Maybe it was my obsession with organization — so many folders! — or maybe it’s that feeling I got picking out clothes and imagining the kid I could be for the next nine months.  

Whatever it was, I’m sure my mom didn’t share my excitement.

For parents, school shopping means big bills, long lines and reading that list wondering, Really? The school’s not supplying its own toilet paper anymore?

Thankfully, retailers feel your pain (and they really appreciate your perennial business). You’ll find sales galore this time of year on everything your kids need to become the brilliant, fabulous little people they’ll be this school year.

I gathered some of the best deals for school supplies available from Target this week to help you save money and skip the crowds while you shop for your kids’ bright futures. (To deal with that toilet paper issue, you should probably just register to vote in your local elections.)

Note: These offers are good online at Target.com. Check with your local store to see if they’re valid before shopping in the store.

1. Get a $5 Gift Card When You Spend $50

Customers walk into a Target store at the Gateway Market Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., on July 31, 2017.
Customers walk into a Target store at Gateway Market Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., on July 31, 2017. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder

Order the kids’ back-to-school supplies online, and select in-store order pickup. You’ll pay no shipping (because it’s shipped to the store), and you’ll earn a $5 gift card if you spend $50 or more.

The deal applies to these school supplies and is good through Aug. 5. You’ll get the gift card in the mail after you pick up your items at the store.

2. Save 15% on School Supplies

Pens and markers are included in the Best Back-to-School Deals at Target shot at the Gateway Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Pens and markers are included in back-to-school deals at Target. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder

Tons of school supplies for all grades are on sale at Target in preparation for the school year. Get scented markers for the young ‘uns or binders for the older kids — maybe pick up a few fun supplies for your office!

We don’t know when these prices will change, so keep an eye on the supplies you need, and nab them when you can.

3. Get a Backpack for $25 (or Less)

Mossimo Supply Co. backpacks are on sale at Target along with other back-to-school items.
Mossimo Supply Co. backpacks are on sale at Target, along with other back-to-school items. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder

Target’s Mossimo Supply Co. backpacks are on sale for $25. It’s not exactly a steal, considering their original prices are between $26 and $30.

But you can reduce the sale price even more by deal stacking.

  1. Start with the sale price of $25 — an automatic savings of between $1 and $5.
  2. Add this coupon code at checkout: HANDBAGS20. You’ll save another 20% — $5 off. That code’s good through Aug. 5.
  3. Sign up for Target’s RED debit or credit card. It offers 5% cash back on every Target purchase (except prescriptions). Knock another $1 off the price of your backpack. (If you spend $500 shopping for school, that’s $25 cash back!)

Now your backpack is just $19 — a savings of up to $11.

Then, think outside the big box, and try these other creative ways to save money at Target.

For example, save your email receipts, and sign up for an app called Earny.

Earny scans your inbox for receipts and tracks to find price drops on your purchase, always trying to get you the most money back. It then claims the difference with the retailer or credit card issuer on your behalf through price protection policies.

4. Buy 3 Hanes Basics, Get a Free $5 Gift Card

Select Hanes products are part of the back-to-school deals at a Target.
Select Hanes products are part of the back-to-school deals at Target. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder

I know you’re going to need socks and undies — kids want to start the school year fresh! And Hanes is pretty much the go-to brand for these staples.

Throw in a pack of T-shirts, undershirts, bras or any of these select Hanes products, and you’ll earn a free $5 Target gift card.

Plus, these items are already on sale, so you’ll stack deals to save even more!

Say you buy…

  • 10-pack of assorted girls underwear — originally $9.99, on sale for $6.49
  • 10-pack of boys boxer briefs — originally $13.99, on sale for $11.49
  • 5-pack of boys T-shirts — originally $9.99, on sale for $6.49

You’ve already saved $9.50. Stack the gift card on that, and you save $14.50!

You’ll get the gift card in the mail separate from your order, whether you choose home delivery or store pick up. This offer is good through Aug. 5.

5. Get a Free $5 or $10 Gift Card When You Buy Kids’ Clothes

Cat & Jack kids clothes are are on display at a Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Cat & Jack kids clothes are are on display at a Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder

Whether your kids wear uniforms or their own style to school, you can find their new outfits at Target.

Shop through Aug. 5, and you’ll get a $10 Target gift card when you spend $40 or more select kids clothes. Spend at least $25, and you’ll get a $5 gift card.

That’s 20% to 25% cash back!

6. Get a Free $5 Gift Card When You Buy 3 Always or Tampax Products

Always feminine products are displayed at a Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Always feminine products are displayed at a Target store in St. Petersburg, Fla. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder

For your older kids (or yourself), this week is a smart time to stock up on menstrual care products — always good to have some stashed in a locker.

Buy three select Tampax or Always products, and you’ll earn a $5 Target gift card.

Add that to the deals above, and you’ll earn $25 in Target gift cards just for buying the stuff your kids need! That could go a long way in buying fixins for lunches in your local Target grocery section.

7. Buy 1, Get 1 50% Off Select Kids Shoes

Kids shoes on display at a Target store.
Buy one pair of select kids shoes at Target, and you’ll get another 50% off — good through Aug. 12. Sharon Steinmann/The Penny Hoarder

We weren’t super fashion-forward in my house, so I usually got two pairs of shoes at the beginning of the school year: something cute for day-to-day wear, and the obligatory pair of sneakers for gym class.

This deal is perfect for that simple shopping list. Buy one pair of select kids shoes, and you’ll get another 50% off — good through Aug. 12.

As always, the discount will be applied to the cheaper pair, so shop accordingly. For example, get these sneakers for $19.99, and you’ll pay just about $9 for these cutie patootie ballet flats.

Save Money on School Supplies

If you won’t nab Target deals this week, here are a few more tips to help you save on school supplies this year:

Dana Sitar (@danasitar) is a senior writer/newsletter editor at The Penny Hoarder. She’s written for Huffington Post, Entrepreneur.com, Writer’s Digest and more, attempting humor wherever it’s allowed (and sometimes where it’s not).