Many people receive gift cards that they don't want or forget to use. There are websites where you can sell your card for slightly less than its value. My tip involves the flip side. The same websites allow anyone to buy these gift cards, thereby getting the card at a discount. For example, a gift card from department store for $50.00, may be sold to you for $45.00. The discounts vary. Combine the card with a store discount and the savings will add up.
Source: Clark Howard radio show. He also has a website.
By Brenda from Antelope, CA
This page contains the following solutions.
For Christmas shopping, start purchasing gift cards every paycheck or month in January. By the time you get to Christmas, you won't have to dip into your regular budget to purchase Christmas gifts.
I've learned to limit my new year's resolutions. Too many is daunting, and it's too much like work. This year one of my two resolutions is to give better gifts.
Every payday throughout the year I buy gift cards. I mix them between cards for stores that I know people I buy for buy from and Visa or AmEx gift cards. Some folks get the gift cards for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas/Related Holidays and for the ones that "have to have a gift", I use Visa/AmEx cards to purchase them.
If giving gift cards is your style, package it with a little go-with gift and cute note. A friend has just finished acupuncture school and I am getting him a package of sewing needles and a wine store gift card with a cute note about something to get started on!
For the teenage drivers on your gift list (or anyone else), this holiday season, giving gift cards or gift certificates for the local gas station would be welcomed greatly...
