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Monday, February 3, 2014

My New Favorite Money Saving App: Target Cartwheel



I still remember the day that I learned to do a cartwheel.  I must have been about 5 years old.  My neighbor shared the basics with me: hand, hand, foot, foot.  Pretty simple.  When I finally successfully turned my first cartwheel it was a rush.  It was late on a summer evening, between the lilac bushes that separated my house from my neighbors'.  When I was able to shift my weight from my feet to my hands, and then back again; it was magic, it was exhilarating, and it was addictive. Twenty five years later I still haven't stopping turning cartwheels.  When the snow melts, and the grass is green, you'd better believe that the palms of my hands will be stained green once again.

Today I'm thrilled to teach you a little bit about a different type of cartwheel; one that will be just as magical,  exhilarating,  is going to save you money, and one that is sure to be just as addictive.  Target has recently released a new in-store, money saving app called Cartwheel, and I love it.  


A look at my Cartwheel from my home computer.
I'll explain the basics of how it works.  First off, you can download the app to your smart phone, tablet, laptop, or home computer.  The app is available through Google Play, or the Apple App Store. Once you have the app, you create an account. You can do this using your Target.com account paired with your e-mail, or you can link it to your Facebook account. Should you choose to log in through Facebook, like I did, you don't have to allow Cartwheel to post on your behalf, you can adjust your settings.  

Once you have created your account, you get to choose your coupons.  Cartwheel has over 700 money saving coupons available.  You are able to choose the offers that you want to use, and are add them to your Cartwheel.  Everyone starts out with 10 available coupon spots, but you easily earn more spots, allowing for greater savings.  Cartwheel offers are typically a percent off of specific items.  For example, on my last target trip, I saved 20% off M&M's, 25% off my new shower curtain, 30% off my new vegetable peeler; and 10% off diapers, dish soap, detergent, and toilet paper. Awesome right.  Who doesn't love saving money.
 Once you've selected your Cartwheel offers, you can either print off a computer generated barcode from your laptop or computer, or use a digital barcode on your phone or tablet.  The barcode is scanned at checkout, and your savings are applied to your purchase.
Being able to save a percentage off of products you are already buying is great, but you can make the savings even sweeter. Target allows you to combine your Cartwheel savings with Target coupons, manufacturer's coupons, sale prices, gift card promotions, and by using your Target RED Card for 5% savings. 
Target Cartwheel savings are applied after Target coupons savings, and before manufacturer's coupons.   So, on my recent Target purchase I bought 4 bags of M&M's. They were on sale for 2/$6. I had one Target coupon for $1.50/3 bags, two manufacturer's coupons for $1/2 bags, and my 20% discount from Cartwheel.  Here's a breakdown of the savings
4 bags of M&M's ($3 each)                                        $12
1 Target coupon $1.50/3  (-$1.50)                              $10.50
Cartwheel savings 20%  (-2.10)                                  $8.40
2 Manufacturer's Coupons $1/2 bags  (-$2)                $6.40
Apply RED card savings 5% ($0.32)                         $6.08
                                     Product Total                         $6.08
                                    Total Savings                          $5.92

Another example of price breakdown on my new vegetable peeler.

Vegetable Peeler $7.99
Target Coupon (20% off)(-$1.58)                      $6.39
Cartwheel (30% off $6.39) (-$1.91)                   $4.47
RED card savings (5%) (-$0.22)                        $4.23
                                Product Total                     $4.23
                                Total Savings                     $3.76

Cartwheel offers are also available for multiple uses.  For example, I bought two packages of diapers, scanned my cartwheel barcode, and saved 10% off of each pack.  Then, later that day, I decided I should stock up on more diapers, went back to Target, bought two more mega packs of diapers, saved 10% off of each pack, and earned a $10 gift card with a sales promotion.  Cartwheel offers can be used on 4 items per transaction, and up to six cartwheel transactions per day, so if I had really wanted to stock up on diapers, I could have purchased 24 total packages of diapers in six transactions.  


 One of my favorite features of the Cartwheel app, is that if you have a smart phone you can scan a barcode of an item to see if there is an applicable Cartwheel offer.  For example, I wanted to see if this accent rug had an offer.  There was a 25% off Threshhold area rugs, excluding doormats.  I wasn't sure if the accent rug was considered a doormat.  I scanned the barcode on the sales tag, and found out that it was not included in the offer.  Sad, but a lot better than getting up to check out only to find out that it was an exclusion.

 I may not be an extreme couponer, but in a world where businesses seem to be limiting the number of coupons that can be used, it is nice that Target has found a fun way for us to save even more.

Be sure to download the Cartwheel App to your mobile device, or check them out online at http://cartwheel.target.com.  You'll be happy you did.

Blogher and Target are teaming up  for a $1,000 gift card sweepstakes.  Official rules can be found below.  To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what Target items you purchase most often, or what you like to save money on most.


Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
  3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 1/30 - 2/28.

Be sure to visit the Target Cartwheel brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

75 comments:

Emily said...

Love the cartwheel app. Though I usually use it for house stuff like toilet paper and paper towels the dove chocolate sale + cartwheel coupon sucked me in. Haha.

Sharon said...

Diapers! 3 kids in diapers...enough said.

latanya t said...

I would like to save money on clothes and groceries at Target

dlatany at gmail dot com

Mami2jcn said...

I buy kids' clothes and toys there the most.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

latanya t said...

https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/430431645124943872

dlatany at gmail dot com

Meaghan and Scott said...

I always love buying my babies formula and diapers from Target!!

The Fam said...

Definitely Mrs. Meyers products!

shannoncarman at yahoo dot com

The Fam said...

I tweeted!

https://twitter.com/channynn/status/430557101090279425

Meaghan and Scott said...

Tweeted!

https://twitter.com/mands90

Sandy said...

I buy lots of home dec items at Target. They have lots of cute stuff. Thanks for the info on Cartwheel.

Sharon said...

https://twitter.com/smjudd8/status/430771887002505216

Charity said...

I could definitely use some savings on diapers too.

Unknown said...

i buy makeup a lot and groceries; i love saving money with it :)

Unknown said...

tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/431021338560446464

Mami2jcn said...

I purchase cereals there most often.

mami2jcn at gmail dot com

Suburban prep said...

We do a lost of shopping for my parents at Target and we get their prescriptions there plus I love the printer ink and household goods.

Unknown said...

Target is a great place to shop and to save money.

Jessica said...

make up and workout clothes!!

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

I tweeted too
https://twitter.com/jessrwarfield/status/431075358863937536

jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

Scott said...

If I won a $1000 gift card, I’d buy shoes for the whole family. I know it isn’t anything exciting but shoes do cost a lot and with growing boys to clothe, it would help. Thank you!

mullin77 said...

I like to save on paper products
and cleaning products.
I like the home décor items at
Target

Natalie said...

I buy almost all of my groceries and toiletries at Target. I used to buy all school supplies there as well when I was in school.

HarleyC said...

I like saving on groceries & pet items.

Julia Baxter said...

I probably buy clothes the most.

Kia89 said...

I like to buy clothes and makeup.
austma7@aol.com

Anonymous said...

will be shopping at target soon, need some clothes and some makeup, groceries too........great giveaway......thanks,
rachel70802002@yahoo.com

jlafount said...

I tend to pick up a bit of clearance video games at Target. I would like to use more coupons on video games and systems

amber said...

I mostly get snacks & candy at target

HilLesha O'Nan said...

I like to purchase some of my favorite food brands such as Gardein, Amy's, and Morningstar Farms.

Lesha@tothemotherhood.com

Anonymous said...

I purchase almost all my pet supplies at Target

Anonymous said...

https://twitter.com/ardy22/status/431437346186084352

Tiffany Banks said...

I always purchase clothing & toys from Target :)
banks_family_5 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Tiffany Banks said...

Tweeted
https://twitter.com/Tiff_Loves_BSB/status/431465006052298752

banks_family_5 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Lauren-Olivia Wood said...

I buy kitchen items and food items the most from target!

Kari M. said...

I love buying groceries at Target

Kari M. said...

I tweeted about the giveaway: https://twitter.com/KariWins/status/431525341111128064

julis55 said...

I purchase work out clothes from Target the most.

Stephanie said...

always buy my 2 fave brands at Target - Seventh Generation and CA Baby
tvollowitz at aol dot com

msrodeobrat said...

I purchase lots of items from target, but I would most love to save money on apparel, workout clothing, home décor and shoes!
addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

Anastasia said...

What I purchase most often are clothes for the kids and soda :) And those are the two things that I love to save on the most since we buy them the most often. Really tho', I love saving on everything I can!
anastasia2013@gmail.com

Anastasia said...

Tweeted :) - https://twitter.com/Enter_Now/status/432233628370624512
anastasia2013@gmail.com

SexyBrat said...

We usually purchase groceries at target.

GANDORF57 said...

Snacks!

Unknown said...

i most often purchase snacks for the kids because their prices are better than the grocery store
stigay at comcast.net

Tamar said...

I buy groceries, clothes, housewares, storage bins, and much more.
tamarsweeps-at-gmail-dot-com

Anonymous said...

I purchase vitamins over the counter meds and fish oil Rosanne rosans4@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Tweeted: https://twitter.com/rosannepm/status/432624514476683264 Rosanne rosans4@comcast.net

ragamuffinbeauties said...

Cleaning products...the basil scented Mrs. Meyer's items jump in my cart every time.

mkjmc said...

My sons Tshirts are purc hased there
kathypersons@yahoo.com

mkjmc said...

https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/433331421260697600

Denise S. said...

I buy kid's clothes there the most.

Unknown said...

I like to buy home goods the most at target.

smilekisses said...

I purchase pet supplies and personal care items.
dolniaks at consolidated dot net

smilekisses said...

https://twitter.com/smilekisses/status/435406931432181762
dolniaks at consolidated dot net

rachel said...

Clothing is a big one...I love their seasonal products, too.

wigget said...

like the Mossimo Supply Co. Yoga Pants

Kerry said...

I purchase a lot of their grocery items.
nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

Anonymous said...

I buy groceries most often at Target.

rhoneygtn at yahoo dot com

Betty Roberts said...

I mostly buy movies and toys at target. angelgenius27(at)yahoo(dot)com

Betty Roberts said...

tweeted https://twitter.com/angelgenius27/status/437785996927578112 angelgenius27(at)yahoo(dot)com

kjasus said...

i use the cartwheel to save on groceries, mostly.

kjasus said...

https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/437989219265310720

Lisa V. said...

Most items I shop for are hair care and skin products.

Erica C. said...

I get the most deals on food there.

Chrysta said...

Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! I LOVE Target for their cute and quality products and the opportunity to save in so many ways (Cartwheel, manufacturer coupons + Target coupons, gift card offers).

Becca said...

I most often purchase sunglasses and books :) sbcashortie at hotmail dot com

Daniel M said...

i purchase groceries most often - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Heather H said...

I purchase cleaning supplies at Target all the time.

sonyamorris (Sonya Morris) said...

I love Target & I love saving money on groceries!
sonyadmorris@gmail.com

sonyamorris (Sonya Morris) said...

Link to tweet:
https://twitter.com/catholicfanatic/status/439155939346616320
Thank you! sonyadmorris@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I purchase food and cleaning items at Target and would love to be able to save more money on these items, I am excited to try the Cartwheel App.

Lisa said...

I often get food, cat supplies, and beauty products at target.

motioncitycutie(at)aol(dot)com

ThriftyAnnabella said...

I purchase a lot of my family's clothes and shoes at Target and would love to save money on those purchases
annabella @ centurytel dot net

Unknown said...

I buy home items from Target

cman said...

Groceries and diapers.