It\u2019s easy to plan all the awesome things that you\u2019ll buy with your new gift cards, but once you get busy, it\u2019s just as easy to tuck your cards aside and promptly forget your ideas \u2013 and where you stashed your gift cards. Even if that happens, protect your cards from disappearing by making sure that you register them or write down the redemption info. Be sure to keep your gift cards in a safe place, because while their small size makes them convenient for shopping, their slim profile means they are super easy to lose in a pile of papers on a messy desk. Keep your gift cards somewhere that\u2019s both secure and memorable because they can be super safe, but they\u2019re no good to you if you can\u2019t remember where you stashed them! To the same end, don\u2019t keep them in your wallet. It\u2019s annoying to not have them if you are out shopping, but even more annoying to lose all that awesome already-paid-for value if your wallet goes missing while you\u2019re out. Save yourself a headache and don\u2019t put them in your wallet until you are ready to spend them, or better yet, spend them online! Gift cards are incredibly easy to use online from the comfort of your couch or bed and you can often find the best deals right from your computer.<\/p>","name":"Don\u2019t Lose Your Cards"},{"@type":"HowToStep","@id":"https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/blog\/how-to-spend-your-holiday-gift-cards-wisely\/#1_BlogPosting_hasPart_HowTo_step_HowToStep","text":"
Just because you have free money to spend, that doesn\u2019t mean you should skip shopping around for the best deals! Stretch your gift card budget as far as it will go by paying attention to sales and promotions online, whether you are redeeming a card from Ace Hardware<\/a><\/strong><\/span> online for those new tools you\u2019ve been eyeing or cashing in a Kohl\u2019s<\/a><\/strong> <\/span>card for a new pair of jeans. Shopping online with your gift cards is a great way to do this because you can easily compare prices across vendors and take instant advantage of savings that you might not notice if you\u2019re out wandering around a store.<\/p>","name":"Take Advantage of Sales and Free Shipping Offers","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/blog\/how-to-spend-your-holiday-gift-cards-wisely\/#1_BlogPosting_hasPart_HowTo_step_HowToStep_image_ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/01\/freeshipping.jpg"}]},{"@type":"HowToStep","@id":"https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/blog\/how-to-spend-your-holiday-gift-cards-wisely\/#2_BlogPosting_hasPart_HowTo_step_HowToStep","text":" While gift cards may mean you can start shopping, it shouldn\u2019t mean blowing your budget. A gift card can give you a chunk of change to spend at your favorite stores, but it\u2019s easy to go way overboard. Use your gift card to help you get closer to the purchase price of those big ticket items you\u2019ve been eyeballing. Just make sure you set a hard limit for just how far above the value of your gift card you can go without really breaking the bank.<\/p>","name":"Don\u2019t Let Gift Cards Turn Into a Slippery Spending Slope"},{"@type":"HowToStep","@id":"https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/blog\/how-to-spend-your-holiday-gift-cards-wisely\/#3_BlogPosting_hasPart_HowTo_step_HowToStep","text":" We all get them \u2013 the gift cards that you just won\u2019t ever use. Whether it\u2019s for a store that clashes with your personal style or a restaurant you can\u2019t stand, don\u2019t just toss your unwanted gift cards. There are a number of places online that offer a gift card exchange. They will happily take your unwanted gift cards off your hands and either trade them out for cards you want or you can even just sell gift cards for cash. Super cool, right? If that still sounds like too much work, see if your friends want to have a post-holiday gift card swap. Who knows what goodies they may be looking to trade for your less-than-loved gift cards! Have another holiday event or birthday coming up? Gift cards are super easy to re-gift and come in especially handy when you need a last minute present.<\/p>","name":"Make the Most of the Cards You Won\u2019t Use"},{"@type":"HowToStep","@id":"https:\/\/www.rakuten.com\/blog\/how-to-spend-your-holiday-gift-cards-wisely\/#4_BlogPosting_hasPart_HowTo_step_HowToStep","text":" Gift cards are an awesome way to shop at your favorite store or redeem for a fabulous movie night out via Fandango<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, but make sure you pay attention to any expiration dates or fees that the cards may have. It\u2019s a shame to let any of that value go to waste when you could be out spending and having a ball! Check the back of gift cards or any paperwork that came with your cards to skim the fine print for the necessary details to figure out if you\u2019re up against any expiration deadlines or if you\u2019ll be hit with any maintenance fees in the future. Nothing like unexpected fees or an expiration date to dampen the gift card spending fun!<\/p> Now that we\u2019ve shared these tips, you\u2019re ready to head out and spend those gift cards like a pro. Enjoy!<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> Prices and Cash Back percentages are subject to change. <\/em><\/p> Your email address will not be published.<\/span>