Target’s Answer to Prime Day Starts July 7

Warm up your credit card: Target is throwing a mid-summer bargain-palooza to compete with Amazon Prime Day. Target Circle Week runs from Sunday, July 7 through Saturday, July 13, and the company promises savings of up to 50% on thousands of things you totally need and want. Plus, the company is rolling out a new paid subscription service, Target Circle 360, for half-price during sale week. Target's old loyalty program, Target Circle will remain free.

According to the company, a year of Target Circle 360 will cost $49 instead of $99 if you sign up between July 7-13. 360 members can use Target's same-day delivery as much as they'd like, with no delivery fees on orders over $35.

I think saving should be a complicated and aggressive nightmare, and shopping should be a source of misery, but Target disagrees. According to Cara Sylvester, Target's executive vice president and chief guest experience officer, "We believe saving should be simple and shopping should be fun." I guess that's why Target is worth a billion dollars and I'm barely a thousandaire.

"Is Circle Week really going to be as awesome as I imagine?" you're probably asking yourself. Well, buddy, check out the early Circle Week deals below and make up your own mind.

Early Target Circle Week Deals

• Up to 50% off select toys including LEGO, Monster Jam, and LOL Surprise!

• Up to 40% off kitchen and floorcare, including Keurig, KitchenAid, Ninja, Dyson, Shark and Bissell

• 30% off tees, tanks and dresses for the family

• 30% off bedding and bath, including Casaluna and Threshold

• 30% off select backpacks, including Cat & Jack

• 30% off kids' school uniforms

• 20% off select skincare, suncare, and fragrances, including CeraVe, La Roche Posay, Neutrogena, Olay, Sun Bum, Banana Boat, Fine'ry and many more

• Buy one, get one 50% off food and beverage summer favorites, including ice cream, all chilled juices and chilled coffee beverages, all fresh berries and more

• Spend $50 on home care products and receive a $15 Target GiftCard

• Spend $40 on select products at Ulta Beauty at Target and receive a $10 Target GiftCard

How to sign up for Target Circle

It’s almost comically easy to join either the Target Circle or Circle 360 program and they will accept anyone, even total jerks. Simply visit the Target Circle signup page, click “create account” and give ‘em your name, email, and phone number.

The perks of Target Circle membership go beyond the admiration of your peers. You’ll also enjoy access to members-only deals, 1% rewards on non-RedCard purchases you can use at Target, 5% off an item purchased during your birthday month, and the chance to influence how Target focuses its charitable giving.