It happens to all of us A quick trip to Target to pick up a few essentials somehow turns into a full-blown shopping spree complete with a cart full of impulse buys With your budget blown youre left toting a dozen shopping bags to your car and wondering how you can prevent this from happening again With a bit of strategizing it really is possible to shop at Target and not overspend We talked with several shopping experts about smart ways consumers can save more every time they shop at the big-box retailer no matter whats in their cart Heres what they had to say If you visit Target on a weekly basis signing up for their REDcard could help unlock more savings on your purchases You can set it up as a credit card and pay a monthly bill or as a debit card and link it to your bank account notes Jeanette Pavini a savings expert for Couponscom Money-saving perks for REDcard holders include a 5 discount on Target purchases excluding prescriptions gift cards and prepaid cards in-store and online free two-day shipping on Targetcom orders and extended 30-day returns in-store and online Theres no annual fee If you opt for the credit card remember that the 5 discount is only beneficial if youre able to pay the bill in full and on time each month Pavini says Otherwise the steep interest rate 2465 APR and late fees up to 38 that get tacked onto your bill will negate any savings If youve got household staples such as laundry detergent or paper towels on your shopping list it might pay off to buy those items in bulk at Target Heres why The retailer is known for its free gift card with purchase giveaways Typically youre required to buy at least two of a particular product in order to qualify for a free gift card says Courtney Jespersen a consumer savings expert for NerdWalletcom For example we checked Targets weekly ad and found a promotion for Pampers and Babyganics diapers Buy at least two packs of diapers from either brand and receive a free 10 gift card Another promotion included various brands of laundry detergent Buy three 100- or 120-ounce bottles and receive a free 10 gift card thats good toward a future purchase If you dont want to wait until your next Target trip to use the gift card Couponscoms Pavini suggests paying for the qualifying items first to get the card then use it to help pay the remaining items in your shopping cart