3 Signs You Should Not Set Foot in Your Local Target Store

There's a joke that it's really not possible to do a shopping trip at Target without spending a minimum of $100. But that joke isn't all that funny.

Many consumers are pretty cash-strapped these days due to inflation and can't afford to make extra purchases. But shopping at Target can easily lead to that. So if these signs apply to you, it may be a good idea to steer clear of your local Target store until goods become cheaper or your personal financial circumstances improve.

1. You already have debt

During the first quarter of 2023, U.S. credit card balances rose to $917 billion, according to TransUnion. That's a 19.2% increase from a year prior.

If you owe money on a credit card already, then the last thing you want is to risk adding to that debt. Doing so could really trap you in an unfavorable financial cycle. So if that's the case, you may want to avoid shopping at Target until you're debt-free. That way, if you end up falling victim to impulse purchases, they won't necessarily push you deeper into a hole.

2. You always overspend when you shop there

There's just something about Target that tempts people to stop exercising self-control. Maybe it's the store's cute apparel line or hard-to-resist housewares section. Even the snacks at Target are out-of-this-world delicious.

You may not have any debt right now. But if you tend to overspend at Target and you're trying to save for a specific goal, whether it's saving for retirement or buying a home, then you're probably better off avoiding it.

3. You have cheaper options for food and essentials

Target's prices tend to be competitive, but they're not always the cheapest. If you're hunting for non-perishable items, you may find that you can scoop them up at a lower price point at your local dollar store. And when it comes to perishable items, you may find that you can spend a lot less to feed your family at discount grocers like Aldi.

Furthermore, if you have a Costco membership, it could pay to do a lot of your food shopping there. You may also want to turn to Costco for household essentials (though to be clear, you should always try to compare prices when you're buying food or things for your household).

When it pays to stay away

If you love shopping at Target, you're in good company. But if these signs apply to you, then you may want to stay away, especially if your financial situation isn't all that great right now. Besides, the longer you steer clear of Target, the more you might appreciate shopping there once your budget opens up and you're able to scoop up fun items without having to stress over the cost.

In fact, one thing you may want to do is give yourself the reward of a Target run for meeting a specific financial goal, like paying off a credit card or getting to a certain balance in your savings account. That might motivate you to hit that goal even sooner.