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Do you hit the bullseye of savings when you shop at Target?

If you don’t – I hate to break it to you – you’re leaving money on the table with each in-store purchase and every online order. We’re talking easy money, no extreme couponing required.

Recently, I broke down what makes Aldi one of my favorite stores to shop and how to make the most of your trips. Now, it's time to save at Target.

My keys to saving include Target Circle, the retailer's free loyalty program that has hundreds of discounts a day ranging from 5% to 50%, and the RedCard, which offers 5% off purchases every day even on Apple products, Disney gift cards and the annual Black Friday pilgrimage.

While not everybody has room in their wallet for another credit or debit card, most should have room on their phone for the Target app, which is the easiest way to rack up the savings with Circle. (For those without a smartphone, it's still possible to take advantage of some offers by registering with a phone number or by printing a barcode from your computer.)

Target also offers a big incentive for customers without a RedCard to join and participate in Circle – the ability to earn 1% back on most purchases.

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More than 90 million shoppers are already part of Circle and have earned nearly $200 million with the 1% back since the program launched nationwide in October 2019. Members have also saved nearly $2 billion to date with the Circle offers.

If you're out of the loop – and not loading offers to your account, scanning your Target wallet at checkout and getting notifications from Target congratulating you on your savings – relax. I'm going to show you how to take savings for a spin.

Joining the 'inner' Target Circle

You might already be a member of Circle and not know it. If you have an existing Target.com, former Cartwheel account or RedCard credit or debit card, you were automatically enrolled in Target Circle. Shoppers also can join by making a Target.com account or by giving their phone numbers in a Target store.

Download the app at Target.com or directly at the Apple or Google Play app stores. Either create a Target.com account or log in with an existing account.

How does Target Circle work

Think of it as a two-tier loyalty program. There’s the free program open to all, and then there are savings that require a Target RedCard credit or debit card.

• Easy savings, no work required: If you don't have a RedCard, you can earn 1% in rewards on nearly every single purchase in-store and online that can be redeemed on a future purchase. The short list of exclusions includes alcohol beverage purchases, prescriptions and over-the-counter items located behind the pharmacy counter, Start earning by scanning a barcode in the app, a printable barcode printed from the website or entering your mobile phone number (once it is registered with your account).

• Savings for RedCard holders: Now, if you do have RedCard, you save 5% off purchases made with the Target credit or debit cards, but you do not get the 1% back in rewards. Target says to earn 1%, you can't use a RedCard for any portion of the purchase. I mean, 5% is more than 1%, so you come out ahead anyway, just don’t forget to pay your bill. (I put all of my credit cards and most of my bills on automatic pilot by using auto-bill pay.)

• More savings: Each week, Target promotes a few Target Circle offers in its weekly store ad. But don't rely solely on the ad to guide you to the savings because there are hundreds of additional offers on the app.

• Bonuses: Every so often, there's the chance to earn an occasional bonus, which vary by member. In February, for instance, I earned $20 in rewards after making three purchases of $80 or more – even though I used my RedCard.

• Earning rewards: If you are a Target Circle member but don't have a RedCard, you can start accruing earnings by scanning the Wallet barcode in the Target app or use your phone number at checkout in stores, or log in to their Target.com account when shopping online. Don't worry if you forget to do this at the time; you can also scan your receipt in the app or enter it on Target.com within seven days.

• Redeeming rewards: To redeem the 1% and any bonus rewards, scan the Wallet barcode in the Target app, give your phone number or log into your account when shopping online. Note that you can't redeem earnings on some items including, adult beverage purchases, dairy product purchases, prescriptions, Same Day Delivery purchases and gift cards.

• Expiring rewards: As long as you remain active and keep participating in Circle, Target says your earnings will not expire. However, if you don't keep using the program after earning, your rewards will expire in a year. So if you're on the forgetful side, best to use them ASAP.

• Birthday reward: If you include your birth date in your Target account, on your birthday you’ll get 5% off a storewide purchase discount to use on a future purchase. The discount is valid for 30 days; and for members with a RedCard, the reward is stackable with the RedCard discount, Target tells me. As with most of the deals, be sure to check the exclusions.

• Giving back: By using Circle, you earn "Community Giving Program votes" with every transaction, regardless of payment type. You then have a say in where Target directs its charitable giving. Cast votes for organizations through the app or website. Target says members have directed nearly $7 million to more than 2,500 local and national nonprofit organizations since Circle started.