Catch me tomorrow morning on WTHR Weekend Sunrise at 7:45 AM! Here’s a sneak peek of some of the money saving tips I’ll share.
It’s the 11th hour! Shoppers are scurrying to finish their final purchases. And today might find you without a clue to give to those who you love. Let’s get a plan for gift card purchases & the ways to best maximize the gift cards you receive.
1) Gift Cards that Give YOU a Gift. Right now a number of restaurants are offering gift card purchases that give you a gift card, too. i.e. you buy $50 for someone you love, and you get a $10 card, too. You can choose to make this 2 gifts or keep a little something for yourself. Sweeten the deal by digging online to find coupons that accompany the particular restaurant. You can also snag a great fuel reward points by picking yours up at Kroger. Or even pay under face value at places like Sam’s Club. Extra cash in your pocket? That’s definitely a gift that keeps on giving.
2) Deal Site Gift Cards. Sites like Groupon, Living Social, Sweet Jack, and Eversave give you the opportunity to purchase gift cards for their sites. This is a FANTASTIC deal for your favorite deal blogger or frugal friend. They can use the “gift card” to buy a deal of their choice so they get exactly what the want. *hint, hint.*
3) Use Tango Card to Organize Gift Cards. I’m not asking you to dance. You need to download the FREE app Tango Card {available on Android or iPhone} if you receive lots of gift cards this holiday season. You can “load” any gift cards to your app and then simply use your smarty phone in the store.
4) Anchor Your Gift Cards to Rewards Programs. If you get a gift card from Starbucks, The Children’s Place, or Kohl’s, be sure you’re a member of their respective rewards programs. That way, you’ll collect rewards points that will get you cash for future purchases. Make those gift cards stretch into future discounts and $s off. Double check to make sure the retailer or restaurant has a rewards program! And if needs be, register the card to your rewards account {required for Starbucks}.
5) Exchange Your Gift Card. Online sites like “Plastic Jungle” and “Cardpool” allow you “sell” your gift card. You’ll get about 92% of your value; however, you can purchase cards for upwards of 35% off, too.
6) Donate Unused Balances. One of my favorite non-profits is Gift Card Giver. It’s a charitable organization that longs for your extra $1.92 on that random gift card. Donate it to them and then they’ll combine it with the extras of others and make it count for someone in need. It’s a simple way to be generous!
Do you have a strategy that helps you give gift cards effectively or maximize the ones you receive?
*This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you score a great deal or two, you also help us build up our 3-6 month emergency fund just a wee bit more quickly. And for that, we royally thank you!
