Target can be a wonderful place to use coupons! Make sure you know and understand the rules and have a copy of the policy with you and you'll be set!
Target
Coupon Policy
Target Price Matching Policy
Guest Relations (Customer Service) 1-800-440-0680
Manufacturer Coupons: Target accepts manufacturer's coupons but they do not double any coupons. They also do not accept expired coupons.
Target Store Coupons: These can be found in the newspaper. They are usually regional, meaning Florida may get one and Ohio may not. Or, the other way around. Target also has store coupons on their website (see printable coupons). Some will receive Target coupons in the mail.
Printable Coupons: Target accepts two kinds of printable coupons:
Target Printables- These can be printed from Target's website. You can go directly HERE or go to Target.com, scroll down to the bottom and under "Target Stores" click "Coupons." Your offers will load and then you will see a list on the left with categories and on the right will be the coupons. There is no set schedule for when new coupons are added, and there is a general print limit and a per computer print limit, usually 2 per computer. Often the coupon states "Limit one coupon per transaction." Some Targets will limit you, some won't. If they enforce the limit, separate your purchases into separate transactions!
Be aware when printing from Target.com, some of the coupons will be manufacture's coupons, not Target coupons. There is no way to know until it comes out of your printer which one it will be. Here is a picture of each kind. The Target coupon is easily identified stating "Target Web Coupon" across the top. 
Manufacturer Printables- These can come from individual manufacturer websites, through email or from any of the printable coupon websites. You can download the Coupon Allies toolbar HERE and with it comes direct links to Coupons.com, Red Plum, Smart Source and many others!
Home Mailers: Occasionally Target will send out direct mail Target coupons. Well sign me up you say? How to get on one of these mailing lists is a Target mystery. It seems that if you call Guest Relations (either to complain or tell of a great experience) or create a baby registry you will receive the coupons. Also, if you have a Target credit card you may be put on the list. Coupon booklets sometimes look like this one. 
Mobile Coupons: Sign up for mobile coupons here. Target sends out coupons about 5 times per month.
Catalinas: Target has now installed Catalina machines. There is no rhyme or reason to what will come out of these machines and the cashiers can do nothing about it. They seem to be Target or Manufacturer coupons, sometimes advertisements and they are usually triggered by something you bought in that transaction. For example, once I bought on 12-pack of Dr. Pepper and out popped a coupon for $1 off two 12 packs of Dr. Pepper. I also have received $8 off and $80 purchase and $5 off a $50 purchase. 
Stacking: Target allows stacking of the store coupons and manufacturer coupons. For example, if you have a manufacturer coupon for $1 off juice (from Target.com, any printable site or the newspaper) and you have a $.50/1 Target coupon, you can buy one bottle of juice (pay attention to any other requirements such as bottle size or flavor) and receive $1.50 off that bottle.
Overage: Sometimes it will work out where the coupon value is higher than the item you are purchasing. This may produce some overage. For example, if an item is $1.75 and you have a coupon for $2 off that item. There are several ways this situation can be handled.
-A cashier may override the coupon and give you the extra $.25 (it will apply toward any other items you have bought).
-The cashier may manually adjust the coupon down to the price of the item. It states in their coupon policy "Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item."
-The refuse to take the coupon. This has happened to me personally and I usually just call Guest Relations on my cell phone right there (while standing in line at the store). After a quick explanation Guest Relations calls the store and explains the policy to the manager, they accept my coupon and I am on my way. Another perk of taking this extra step is that it puts me on the list to receive those coupon booklets by mail.
Gift Card Deals: There are two kinds of gift card deals at Target- advertised and unadvertised. These deals are also sometimes regional, what is generating a gift card in Maryland may not in Texas.
Unadvertised gift card deals are often spread by word of mouth and you are taking a chance that it might not work at your store if you go to try it. The cash register will automatically prompt the cashier to give you your gift card and if this does not happen when I expect it to, I simply ask the cashier to void those items off my order.
Advertised gift card deals will often look like this is the weekly ad- 
Usually you have to buy two or three products and you will receive $5 or $10 back. Often these deals include electronics, diapers, groceries and bath & body products.
For all gift card deals you CAN use coupons, both manufacturer and store, on the items and still receive the gift card.
After The Sale: Target will "add" a coupon to your receipt if you bring it back later. If you forgot your coupons at home or found a coupon for those crackers you bought yesterday, take your receipt and the coupon back to the store and they will give you cash back.
Price Scanners: Throughout the store there are price check scanners. These can be an invaluable tool. Often items on clearance are not tagged correctly and the only way to know the price is by using the scanner. Also, sometimes when an item is included in a gift card deal, when you scan it the screen will say "Special Purchase." Lastly, the scanner will tell you if there is any more of a product in the stockroom, which is nice to know if you are wanting to buy more than is on the shelf. Learn where the scanners are in your store!
Clearance: Clearance can be the most fun thing about Target! Often, the back end-caps of the isles will hold discounted and discontinued items at a discount. Target starts their clearance at 15%, then moves to 30%, 50%, 75% and 90%. It seems (though it is hard to confirm) clearance items are reassessed once a week. Each Target has a seasonal section and this is where some of the best deals can be found. The week after Christmas is a great time to peruse this section, since often holiday food and heath & beauty items are deeply discounted. Don't forget- you can use coupons on clearance!
Customer Service: Target customer service can be a great resource. Do not hesitate to call if a cashier mistreated you or did not follow the corporate coupon policy. Also, do not hesitate to call if a cashier was great! As stated before, I have stood at a cash register while trying to check out and called customer service because the cashier was not following the policy. This is again a great way to get on the list for those great coupon booklets, don't hesitate to give them your name and address.
Price Matching: Target now price matches competitor's advertised prices. If another local store has a product, say a toy on sale for $19.99, you can take that ad to Target and if they carry the exact same toy at a higher price, they will adjust the price down. You have to go to customer service to do a price match. You can use manufacturer coupons when price matching. Also, if a Target coupon is available for that item, they may apply the coupon before or after the price match (it may depend on your store).
Well, get that all down and you are set to head to Target!
To learn more, head back to Lesson 1 in our Guide to Couponing Series.
