WAYS YOU SHOULD BE SAVING MONEY AT TARGET

This is not a sponsored post. I am just a Target junky, and college student on a budget. So, I love to save a buck whenever possible, and I wanted to share some ways that I have been saving.

1. Target REDcard

I don't know why I didn't get this sooner. I got the debit card, so whenever I use my REDcard, it comes right out of my checking account, and I automatically save 5% by using this card. I got it a couple of months ago, and I have already saved more than $25.

2. The cartwheel app

This is one that I occasionally forget about, especially if I am in a rush. But it is definitely worth it to take the time to use it. Even though the deals might seem small, it adds up, and it is so easy! If you already have an idea of what you will be buying before you go to the store, take a few minutes and look through the deals. While you are in the store, you can also scan products, and it will show you if there is a deal and recommend similar products with deals if there isn't.

3. Personalized Coupons

You know those coupons that they usually hand you with your receipt? How often do you actually use them? I can't tell you how many times I have set them on my counter with the intention to stick them in my purse by the next time I go back, and then they sit there until after they are expired. One solution is to pull them out, and find a place that you would have a better chance of remembering them. For example, you could keep them in your car so that they will always be with you on your trip to the store.

4. Pay attention to deals and how long they run

Sometimes I will go to the store with the intention of buying one thing, but I will decide on something else because it is on sale or they are running a promotion on it. Other times I will take a closer look at the sale tag to see how long the deal is running. If the deal will still be available next week, I might hold off and plan to take advantage of it later.

On my last trip to Target I saved $7.94 between taking advantage of sales, using the Cartwheel app and paying with my REDcard. That is almost $8 that can go to other expenses--or justifying the money I spent going out to dinner with a friend the other night. Saving money can take a little extra time, but think about how much time it takes to earn the money that you could be saving! It is definitely worth taking a few extra steps to save your cash. I promise your checking account will thank you.

How do you save money while shopping?

The New Must Have App on Campus: Save Money With Real-Time Deals on Food and Beverages

As college kids, we are always looking for a way to save a buck or two. Did I hear BOGO? ­– I’m in! So when my roommate told me about this app called Hooked to get deals on food and beverages around campus, I already knew I would be hooked. Hooked is a free app with real-time deals going on around campus (at UW-Madison).

Recently, I met with Kyle Nathanson, the Chief Sales Officer with Hooked, to give me a little insight on what all the hype is about with Hooked. Kyle wishes it were something him and his friends had during college, so they are helping us get the deals now.

Members of the Hooked Team at a launch in Madison

Hooked launched in Madison on September 2, 2014—the first day of school. They are also at the University of Texas, and they also launched with the University of Michigan the same day as Madison. Next Fall, Hooked plans to expand to additional large Universities.

With Hooked you can save money at places you might already go to—including Subway, Espresso Royale, Jamba Juice—or you can find new places through Hooked. Hooked partners with quality businesses to give you discounts worth your time. You can even find deals with food trucks, including Toast outside the Business School. Kyle says, “It allows you to not only save money at the places you already go, but to try out new spots that you may have never have thought to go or even hear of. You see it on our app, and you all of the sudden now fall in love with that place. It happens with our app all the time.”

Hooked is super easy to use. The deals are based on your location—so when you open the app the deals on the top will be the closest to you. As you scroll down the deals get further away, but all of the deals are within walking distance around campus. You can click the map icon in the top right corner to find deals that are live right now. As shown in the image of the map, the green pins indicate live deals. Hooked deals last for three-five hours, so all of the deals you are getting are fresh. Once you’re in the business, whip out your phone and pull up the Hooked app.

All you have to do is tap the green “Get Hooked” button and receive the deal. It’s as simple as that.

Unlike other deal-saving apps, you don’t have to build up a loyalty, you don’t have to enter your payment information or personal details, and you don’t have to wait! Kyle says, “Every time you use Hooked you are getting a deal.”

Like I said, Hooked is a free app that saves you money. So what are you waiting for? Go download it in the App Store now.

This post first appeared on Her Campus-Wisconsin.