My 2014 Target Halloween Clearance 50% off Purchases

So, I went out to get Anna from Crew, and I stopped on the way home at my favorite Target, just to check out what was there, and what was ringing up as part of the Halloween sale.  As I have said, there are years that things that were always part of the sale stop being on discounted.   For example, for years, the Softsoap brand liquid soap in the holiday-themed bottles were part of the after holiday sale, and two years ago, it just stopped being on sale.  I remember one year I bought 30 bottles for .29 each, along with some coupons for $1/2 bottles, and I paid less than $5 for all of them.   I donated about 15 to my daughter's pre-school, and to our CCD program (I try to encourage little ones to wash their hands!)

But I digress...When I first got to Target, it was pretty early, and I was surprised by how much had cleared out since Thursday (when I went to get grass seed).   The costume aisle was pretty empty:   

But the food items, which I don't normally even begin to look at until they reach 50% off (food items go slower than the other Halloween-themed items), was still pretty full--and I was really the only one shopping in the section (which is why this is my favorite Target...there is always a great selection). This is what it looked like:

When you see these many plates, and cups (at the bottom), there is no need to rush to get them (unless you are stocking up for a party next week...or these are the colors of your child's school, and are planning a graduation party...something I did when my son's colors were blue and gold).   

I did get a few items, breaking my own rules.  My three boys all love those Cliff Bars...I only saved 1.80 on the box (originally 5.99), but I have bought them at full price, so I got some.  

                  I don't think these look too Halloween-y, until you see the ghost on the box.

I also bought two boxes of these utensils.   This is a great example of "hidden clearance."  There is nothing that says that these utensils are part of the Halloween sale, and they absolutely can be used/donated at any time of the year.   

These Puffs are another good example of why you have to go and check out the place and scan some items.     

      

In years past, these were part of the sale.  Today, these were all in the housewares section, not in the Halloween area.  I decided to scan them, and they came up as 50% off, originally 2.99 a 2-pack, down to 1.49.  I also had 2 coupons, each for 1.50 off of three Puffs, so I bought 6 boxes, and got .50 off each box.    So, each double box cost .99 (after my Redcard, it was only .94 cents each for me), and was less than .47 cents a box.*

We use tissues like crazy around here (and we always have to donate them for things at school), and I don't think these packages scream Halloween--they just look autumnal.  I already opened up several packages, and placed them around my house where we need them.   This is also the kind of item you have to decide whether you are willing to buy them at 50% off, because most housewares don't make it much past 70% , and then you might be talking about saving only a dollar or so more than if you had simply purchased it at 50% off.   In this example, these (assuming they are still around), will go to .89 for each double pack.  That is a savings, but only .60 each double pack.  You might just decide to go ahead and buy them at 50% off, and be thrilled if there are still some there for you to buy at 70% off (but please...don't buy items at 50% off late at night when you think the next day items will go to 70% off, unless you can't make it to Target the next day). 

One interesting conversation I heard before I left was between a Target employee, and a husband who I heard say he "had been sent to buy Halloween decorations on sale," presumably by his wife.  The Target employee was scanning items, and explaining to this husband the different percentages off today (50 or 30%), and then he said "These things will be 70% off tomorrow."   I was eavesdropping from down the aisle, and I felt like I couldn't interrupt, but I think it is at least worth checking out the price tomorrow (normally, I wouldn't go again until Monday).  Last year, as I said in another post, they changed the day that things go from 50% off to 70% off.  It had always been on November 4th, but last year I went to get something on the 3rd, and bought something, and it came up 70% off.  It was mid-day, and I was shocked that they had gone 70% off so early, but I would be really shocked if it goes 70% off tomorrow....I think it was probably just two guys talking, and I doubt it is true.  

*This is also the type of item where when you are doing your pre-Clearance recognizance, you might want to consider whether you want to stock up on Puffs coupons.  I usually just go to Ebay if I see there is an abundance of an item that I will really want after a holiday that I know will have coupons for it...and I buy ten or so.   I try not to spend more than .10 a coupon (including shipping), or it doesn't become worth it to me.