Gift cards have become an integral part of how we shop, make purchases, and even give gifts. They offer convenience and can even save you money if you know how to use them effectively. In this article, we’ll explore some clever gift card hacks that will save you a ton of money, whether you’re shopping online, dining out, or buying presents for loved ones. These strategies will help you make the most out of your gift card balances and stretch your dollars even further.
The Benefits of Using Gift Cards Wisely
Gift cards aren’t just for giving away during the holiday season; they can be an effective tool for saving money in everyday situations. Understanding how to leverage the different types of gift cards—such as restaurant gift cards, bank-issued cards, or e-gift cards—can give you access to discounts and rewards, making your regular expenses more affordable.
How Gift Card Hacks Can Make You a Savvy Shopper
Using the right gift card hacks can help you unlock significant savings. By taking advantage of discounts, bonus offers, and gift card sales, you can enjoy extra savings on your purchases. Whether it’s during holiday sales or using restaurant gift cards at your favorite restaurant, these hacks will help you become a savvy shopper. Let’s get into the specifics.
15 Amazing Gift Card Hacks That Will Save You a Ton of Money
Here are 15 of the best gift card hacks that will save you a ton of money, organized into actionable steps that you can apply immediately.
1. Buy Discounted Gift Cards for Extra Savings
There are plenty of discount gift card sites, like Raise, CardCash, and Gift Card Granny, where you can buy gift cards at a reduced price. These websites are great for purchasing gift cards for popular retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or even Olive Garden. By purchasing discounted gift cards, you effectively save money before you’ve even made your first purchase.
Tips for Finding the Best Deals on Discount Gift Cards
- Careful Comparison Shopping: Different sites may have varying discounts on the same gift card. Comparing prices on multiple discount gift card websites can help you maximize savings.
- Use Credit Card Reward Programs: Some credit card reward programs offer points or cashback for purchasing gift cards through their portals, adding to your savings.
2. Get Free Gift Cards Through Surveys and Reward Programs
If you’re looking for an easy way to score some gift cards for free, consider survey sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, or Branded Surveys. These platforms allow you to earn points by taking surveys, watching videos, or performing other small online tasks.
Popular Gift Cards You Can Earn for Free
- Amazon Gift Cards: A great option for almost any type of shopping.
- Starbucks Gift Cards: Enjoy your favorite beverages on the house.
- Restaurant Gift Cards: Redeem them at your favorite restaurants, such as Darden Restaurants or Yard House.
3. Turn Unwanted Gift Cards Into Cash
Sometimes, you might receive gift cards you have no use for. Rather than letting them collect dust, why not convert these unwanted gift cards into cash? Sites like CardCash or Raise allow you to sell gift cards for cash, which you can then use for any purchase you prefer.
How to Get the Most Cash for Your Gift Cards
- Use a Gift Card Resale Site: Platforms like CardCash let you set the selling price, allowing you to maximize the cash you receive.
- Resell for Popular Retailers: Cards for popular retailers like Amazon or Visa will often fetch higher resale values.
4. Take Advantage of Holiday Season Promotions
Retailers often offer promotional deals on gift cards during the holiday season. Buy a gift card, and you may receive a bonus gift card of lesser value. This is particularly common at restaurants and popular department stores.
When to Buy for Maximum Savings
- Holiday Season: The best deals are often found during the holiday season when companies want to attract more buyers.
- Major Sale Days: Take advantage of events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or back-to-school sales for extra discounts on gift cards.
5. Combine Low-Balance Cards for Larger Purchases
If you have several gift cards that have only a few dollars left, combining these low-balance gift cards can lead to significant savings. For example, Amazon allows you to add gift card balances from multiple cards into your account.
Why You Should Consolidate Balances
- Prevent Waste: Many people end up with unused small balances on gift cards, but you can save a ton by consolidating them.
- Buy Expensive Items: Pooling these small balances can help you afford higher-end purchases.
6. Reload Amazon Gift Cards Using Other Gift Cards
Amazon gift cards are one of the few that don’t expire. Reloading your Amazon account with other cards can help you prevent losing value due to expiration dates, while also taking advantage of Amazon’s occasional reload bonuses, like an $8 bonus for the first reload of $100.
7. Use Gift Cards for Everyday Shopping
Gift cards aren’t just for special occasions; they can be an effective way to manage everyday shopping, from groceries to gas purchases. If you buy discounted gift cards, you get an automatic discount every time you swipe the card.
Types of Purchases You Can Make with Gift Cards
- Grocery Shopping: Many grocery chains offer their own gift cards or accept prepaid gift cards.
- Gas Stations: Buy discounted gas cards to save money at the pump.
- Online Shopping: E-gift cards are particularly useful for frequent online shoppers.
8. Use Bonus Gift Cards from Promotions
Sometimes, retailers will offer bonus gift cards for purchasing a certain amount. For instance, buy a $50 restaurant gift card, and get a $10 bonus gift card.
9. Buy Expensive Items with Discount Gift Cards for Extra Savings
Are you planning on buying an expensive item, like a new television or a laptop? Consider purchasing discounted gift cards for that specific retailer first. Whether it’s Best Buy, Target, or Walmart, buying a high-value prepaid Visa gift card or merchant-issued gift card on discount can help you save a percentage of the total cost.
10. Give Gift Cards as Presents to Avoid Impulse Buying
Gift cards make for fantastic presents during the holiday season or birthdays. They prevent impulse buying and ensure that the receiver gets exactly what they want. Plus, you can always score extra savings by buying them during promotional sales.
11. Pay for Streaming Subscriptions Using Gift Cards
Gift cards can also be used for digital subscriptions. Streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify offer the option to pay for your subscription with gift cards. This trick helps you set a budget for entertainment and avoid overspending.
12. Make Dining Out Cheaper with Restaurant Gift Cards
Many chain restaurants like Olive Garden, Red Lobster, or even Yard House offer gift cards that can be bought at a discount or come with bonus deals. Look out for special promotions, especially during the holiday season, to save on dining expenses.
13. Use Cashback Apps for Gift Card Purchases
Using cashback apps like Rakuten or Honey when buying gift cards can help you save even more. These apps often give you a small percentage back for making purchases through their links, which can stack up over time.
14. Monitor Your Gift Card Balances
Keep an eye on your gift card balances to make sure you’re not wasting money. Many retailers have gift card management applications that allow you to track the balance, expiration dates, and even the use of your gift cards.
Balance Tracking Tips
- Gift Card Value-Checking Sites: Use sites that help you check your card balance easily.
- Keep Cards Active: Some cards become inactive if not used for a certain period; always stay on top of your balances.
15. Stack Gift Cards for Travel Discounts
Gift cards can also be used for travel-related expenses like flights, hotels, and car rentals. Many travel gift cards are available at a discount, especially during travel seasons. Pairing a discounted travel gift card with a loyalty card or a rewards program can lead to extra savings on your next vacation.
Conclusion
Gift cards are not just convenient gifts; they’re powerful money-saving tools that can help you stretch your budget further. By using these gift card hacks, you can save a ton of money on everyday purchases, from groceries to entertainment, and even high-ticket items. Whether you’re leveraging discounted gift cards, combining balances, or using them for travel, the key is to be strategic and stay informed about the best offers. Start applying these brilliant gift card hacks today to make the most of your spending.
ALSO READ: Using Credit Cards to Earn Money and Travel for Free (Without Debt!)
FAQs
You can earn free gift cards by completing surveys on websites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, or Branded Surveys. You can also earn cashback on purchases through apps like Rakuten.
Yes, some retailers allow you to combine multiple gift cards. For example, Amazon lets you add balances from different cards into your account.
Buying discounted gift cards from a reputable source like CardCash or Raise is generally safe. However, always read reviews and understand the terms and conditions before purchasing.
If you have unwanted gift cards, consider selling them on resale sites like CardCash, or use them to buy items you can resell.
Always keep track of your gift card balances, use them before they expire, and avoid impulse-purchasing a discounted gift card without a plan for its use.
