How to make out like a bandit at Target

Seriously, I feel like I'm stealing sometimes when I leave my beloved Target!
If you do a little work and make a plan, you can get items like razors and body wash for free or pennies. 
Here's how you do it:

#1 Cartwheel - after you sign up on a computer, print your bar code. Your bar code is basically like a store rewards card and no matter how many changes you make to it, it stays the same. You can even use the app to add deals on your phone while you're in the store and have the cashier scan your bar code when you checkout.  My phone is fickle, I don't trust it, so I keep my printed bar code in the envelope with the coupons and my list. The cartwheel offers seem to update almost daily, so keep an eye out towards the end of the week for big percentages to pop up for only a few days. You are allowed to use each offer on up to four items, but you can use your Cartwheel up to six times per day.

#2 Target printable coupons - Target has recently updated their coupons to include most of the printable coupons you would find on coupons.com, plus you can search and sort them. The Target store coupons are mixed in there, so you will have to do a little digging for the items you want. The feature I really like about this new combination is I can print both Target and Manufacturer's coupons on the same page. For example, there is a Target coupon for 75 cents off 49-ct or larger Carefree liners and a manufacturer coupon for $1.50 off two Carefree products. I can type Carefree in the search bar, both coupons pop up, select and print! You can stack coupons and use 4 of each per shopping trip.

#3 Manufacturer's Coupons - use printed or newspaper coupons and get the full value! BOGO coupons have been deducting the full amount and applying any overage to the rest of your order. No cash back, but hey, some of those BOGO coupons are big money. I usually print at least one BOGO coupon whenever I see it and wait for a sale.

#4 Gift Card offers - this is where it gets a little more complicated, but you can totally do this! During the Personal Care promotion, I was able to get $40 worth of products for a little over $8. Target always has gift card offers for buying $x amount or buying # of a certain item. Combine this with coupons and you can work it so they pay you to take items out of their store. You have to really look for the best combination and do some math on the fly, but would you rather pay $10 or $2 for razors or body wash? I have yet to see limits on gift card offers, but I'm sure they will implement them eventually. 

#5 Reusable bags
You will get five cents for each reusable bag you use!

#6 Target REDcard
Save 5% off your purchase at the register by using your REDcard. They now offer a debit card which links to your checking account, so you don't have to worry about opening another line of credit or making payments to another bill. 

Order of operations:
#1. Have the cashier scan everything first, they will issue gift cards if prompted. 
#2. Scan your cartwheel bar code, then coupons. The register will do the work for them, but you can catch wrong prices as they go through instead of trying to figure out your receipt after.
     ~ If you are breaking up your order into multiple transactions, let the cashier know up front. Most cashiers are very good and even encouraging your savings, but if you get a newbie it can be very overwhelming and they will end up calling a manager over. 
 
Other tips for successful Target adventures:
~ Find out when your store gets their truck so you can plan your trip when they are fully stocked.
~ Go during a quiet time of day if you can. Saturday afternoon is usually a zoo. 
~Target likes to put things on clearance and not mark anything or put signage out. There are price scanners in every department, use them to your advantage.
~ If you know someone that works at Target, ask when things will be going on clearance. And then let the rest of us know :-) Target has some of the best clearance section finds I've ever seen, but it gets cleared out so fast!

If you know a trick I missed, please share in the comments! So far I've had really great luck at Target and every store employee was pleasant.