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.
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I would suggest that everyone make sure to check the expiration dates on the cards before buying them throughout the year. Last Christmas, my daughter received a gift card for $25 from a local bagel store. She found out that the card was purchased almost 10 months before she received it as a gift and that it would expire 12 months after purchase. Subsequently, instead of enjoying bagels throughout the year, she ended up with a gift card that expired before she could use it up.
I agree with the above comment; however, in CA - this is illegal. Regardless of the date on the card, the merchant MUST HONOR THE FULL AMOUNT SHOWN ON THE CARD.
Hi, This is a great idea. Our church sells scrip and not only are the gift cards welcome with the recipients, but our church benefits from the sale. ALS is correct. A little at a time is much easier on the budget.
Yes, I would say check exp dates and preferably buy ones without them if you're going to try this idea. I think the idea is great tho as a way not to have the expenditure all at once.
As far as the bagel store gift card, it's possible the giver was re-gifting a card he or she hadn't used.
why not just put X amount of money in savings account and when christmas or birthdays, etc... the money will be there to purchase your gift cards
Being of an extremely limited income, I do this as well throughout the year but make sure there is no exp. dates...
I also do online shopping and emails from mypoints and then redeem my years accumulated points for Giftcards for Christmas...
I love this idea. Personally, if I have cash, I'll probably spend it, but keeping the cards just in a box someplace would stop me from doing that. This is a great idea!
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