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Showing posts from December, 2023

Gift Cards: Budget Heroes, Part 3

  Hey Super Saver, get ready to mark your calendar because National Use Your Gift Card Day is just around the corner! This brilliant idea was cooked up in 2020 by Tilson PR, and it's gaining popularity faster than a viral cat meme. We all know that feeling of getting a gift card and letting it collect dust, but did you know up to 3% of holiday gift cards never see the light of day? Shocking, right? Now, there are two types of these golden tickets: the open-loop and closed-loop. The open-loop ones, like Visa or Mastercard, are like the rockstars of gift cards – they can be used almost anywhere. But beware, they come with terms, conditions, expiration dates, and sneaky monthly fees. And not every joint accepts them, so it's not total freedom. On the other hand, closed-loop cards are like having VIP access to your favorite store or service. They're tied to a specific place, like your favorite record store or movie streaming service . They often don't expire, unless, of cou...

Gift Cards: Budget Heroes, Part 2

  Hey there, Super Saver! Time to unveil the secret powers of gift cards in the realm of budgeting. Picture this: they're not just tokens of appreciation; they're your everyday financial sidekick! 1. Category Command : Tired of cash chaos? Swap it for gift cards in specific budgeting categories . Like a superhero with a plan, load up a grocery store gift card for your shopping escapades. No wads of cash, no overspending—just budget brilliance. Or, imagine a pizza joint gift card, linked to the app, earning you rewards. It's the budgeting equivalent of winning a prize on a game show. 2. Subscription Serenity : Ever tamed the wild beast of runaway online subscriptions ? Gift cards to the rescue! Set up a fixed monthly expense on a gift card and watch the magic happen. When the credits roll on your gift cards, either your service bids adieu or you get a renewal heads-up on your trusted debit or credit card. 3. Kid-Proof Gaming : Shield your bank account from your kid's in-...

Gift Cards: Budget Heroes, Part 1

Hey there, Super Saver! Here's the lowdown on gift cards – they're the ultimate budget-friendly Christmas gift! Not only do they let you show you've got some serious thought behind your present, but they're more personal than just handing over some cold, hard cash. You're in control of your spending game because you can set the amount that fits your budget like a glove. And guess what? You can snag these gems at a discount, especially if you buy in bulk or hit up certain retailers. Some warehouse stores practically give them away at less than face value! But hold on, there's more. Around the holidays, keep your eagle eyes peeled. Some places dish out bonus gift cards to the VIPs – think rewards program members or the big spenders who drop a certain dollar amount on these little bundles of joy. Now, here's a move straight out of the Super Saver playbook – regifting! If your boss hands you a coffee shop card, but you're not sipping that java, don't sw...