Gift cards guilt free spending -- Ha ha ha

**NikoSan999** · 01-30-2011, 09:27 AM

When I get gift cards I, too, hold on to them...like others if it's a WalMart card I think, "I should use it for groceries".

My son got me one for Dilliards a couple years ago. I just used it this past August.

I still have a couple for WalMart that I'm hanging on to. I figure if things get alot worse, which I truly believe they could, at least they can be used for groceries or many different NEEDS.

I probably will not be changing my way of thinking. I don't need clothes, towels, sheets, shoes, another set of pots and pans, more pretty things to dust....If I received those things as a gift, yes, I would use but to go out and buy...nope.

**Luckybustert** · 01-30-2011, 06:12 PM

I don't feel guilty about using them, but occasionally I forget that I have them. This thread reminded me that I have a Bath & Bodyworks gc that's over a year old that I haven't used, and a Crate & Barrel one that's been around for close to a year now too. Will have to think about what I want to use them toward. The Bath & Bodyworks one will probably be for gifts for others, but I want to use the C&B one for myself....maybe that electric fondue pot that I've been looking at for months? Decisions, decisions...

**JanieD** · 01-31-2011, 04:15 PM

Well, ya'll aren't alone. For some reason when I'm given a gift card or even money, I feel like I should spend it on something special. Of course, nothing seems right or I'm disappointed w/what I finally decide to buy. I'd rather hang on to the cash or use the GC for household stuff/trading it for cash to spend on something for myself later. I feel "bad" that I can't tell them what I've bought w/my GC or birthday/Christmas money. I'm considering a Wish List of things I'd love, but making the list seems like a lot more fun than actually buying the items. Guess I have some money for therapy if I decide its really a problem. LOL

**peanut** · 02-08-2011, 01:13 PM

When I get gift cards I spend them right away, otherwise I forget about them. But I've become a little annoyed at my dad's annual Chapters card. I just don't like shopping Chapters anymore. I buy any books I want on-line through Amazon. And I don't like the lineups at Chapters. Plus Chapters rarely has what I want. Yes, I know I can special order it. But why wait a couple weeks for it to come in when I can order direct from Amazon and have it by the end of the week? Without two trips to the store...which waste my time and gas.

So now before I give anyone a gift card I always ask them what they would like the card for. My gift cards are no longer surprises. They are to help where people want help. Usually people request them for their favourite grocery stores. Which reminds me...time to start collecting for Christmas this year...

**Telephus44** · 02-09-2011, 11:57 AM

I actually carry all of my gift cards on me, because you never know if you're going to need them that day!

I tend to spend the "practical" ones on upgrades - like, we need coffee. I could buy the $3.99 coffee or the $4.99 one that I like better - if it's a gift card, I'll by the $4.99 one. Or I'll throw in a soda at the checkout counter or some small toy for DS.

For the not so practical ones, I save them for when I really just want to go shopping. I know it's not the most frugal habit, but sometime when I'm having a bad day at work I'll go out to the mall at lunch and browse, and sometimes just buying something small makes me feel better. Also, my MIL only gives GC's for Christmas - and DH and I get like 8-10 of them for each of us - so I almost always have something to spend.