Should You Buy Your Groceries at Target?

There's a reason so many people love Target. Where else can you buy milk, bread, eggs, video games, sweatpants, towels, books, and end tables all in the same shopping trip?

That said, some people shop at Target for the groceries alone. And given that Target's prices tend to be competitive, that's not necessarily a bad idea. But while buying groceries at Target could save you money, it could also cost you big time.

The upside of buying groceries at Target

Target may not necessarily be the lowest-cost option when it comes to groceries, especially when you factor in discount supermarkets like Aldi. But it's fair to call its prices competitive with those of traditional supermarkets. Also, there's an easy step you can take to reap even more savings on groceries at Target -- apply for and use a Target RedCard.

Target RedCard comes in two forms -- a credit card and debit card. No matter which type you have, your card gives you 5% off of your purchases. That could make it so your groceries are cheaper at Target than a competing store.

As an example, let's say that both Target and your local supermarket have your favorite cereal for $3.99. With your Target RedCard, you're saving about $0.20 per box, and in the course of a year, those savings could add up.

A big reason not to buy your groceries at Target

You might come out ahead financially by buying groceries at Target -- that is, if all you buy are groceries. See, one big problem with Target is that the store is loaded with fun, tempting inventory. And if you're someone who has a tendency to give in to impulse purchases, then shopping at Target may be a dangerous prospect in general. So if you've been known to overspend at Target, then you may want to do what you can to avoid the store as much as possible. 

With a regular supermarket, there's always the temptation to buy an item that isn't on your shopping list. You might grab a box of tasty-looking cookies on your way over to the register, or you might buy ice cream because it's on sale. 

But you're not going to find items like bedding, clothing, and home decor at a traditional supermarket. Your opportunities to make impulse purchases may be more limited. And let's be real -- there's a difference between impulse buying a $3 box of cookies versus a $45 rug you really don't need or haven't budgeted for. So for this reason alone, Target may not be your best bet.

Create a list and compare

However, if you're someone who's good about exercising self-control, then you may find that buying groceries at Target can help you lower your costs. A good way to know for sure, though, is to create a list of the staple items you buy most weeks and do a comparison between the prices Target charges versus those charged at your local supermarket. 

That comparison won't be perfect because Target and traditional supermarkets tend to run weekly sales that result in price changes. But it'll at least give you a basic idea of which store is cheaper. 

When running those numbers, though, keep that Target RedCard discount in mind. If you don't have one already, you could apply for one if you think Target will become your go-to source for groceries.