Gift cards aren’t licenses for instant gratification
Posted by DBiles on December 31, 2008
DYLAN BILES TIMES-DISPATCH GUEST COLUMNIST
Published: December 27, 2008
We’ve survived another holiday.
For every new memory for the family to cherish, there’s that afternoon you spent playing “Dodge the Stroller” in a crowded shopping mall or negotiating your exit from the parking lot in a fashion which has more in common with a black ops-style extraction than a commute.
Don’t get me wrong: I’m not trying to dump a bunch of Bah Humbug all over everyone’s leftover holiday cheer. I’m just saying that, if we are honest with ourselves, there’s a part of you that is kind of glad it is all behind you for another year.
So, with a few more pounds from a multitude of holiday dinners and parties, a few more boxes in our living rooms that we haven’t quite figured out what to do with, chances are you now find yourself with another little something extra: a pocket full of gift cards.
Those little plastic cards are becoming more prevalent during the holidays. I know there is something to be said for the personalized, “Well, they put some thought into it” gift, but it is pretty nice walking home knowing that all of those little things you almost bought yourself the past few months but didn’t are finally yours for the taking.
It is easy to spend these cards with reckless abandon, forsaking the normal frugal mindset you normally focus toward any purchase you make because, well, you are spending free money. This is the exact wrong thing to do. There are several things to keep in mind while going on your post-holiday shopping spree that will help you pocket more loot.
First, don’t ever pay full price. It is easy to forget about this simple idea when you are buying an item you’ve had your eye on but just couldn’t purchase when it meant spending your own dime. Set free from self-imposed financial limitations, shoppers will often make that impulse buy and never give it a second thought.
This is the wrong mentality to take. There are always deals out there for something on your wish list. In this day of online shopping, coupons and bargains new bargains on a daily basis there is almost never a time when paying full price is necessary. Don’t let yourself get sucked into immediate gratification.
Second, it is important to remember this: Gift Cards don’t expire. Yes, I know that there expiration dates printed on your gift card, but when those dates approach, you can always renew the card by purchasing another card with it. Most cards won’t expire for at least a couple of years anyway.
What this means for you is that you can afford to wait. Have patience. Don’t rush into anything. If there is a sweater that you have had your eye on and you know it will probably be marked down once summer rolls around, then just hold on to your card for a while. This is another place where online shopping plays a vital role because you can always check the stock and keep up with whether the item is on clearance or if the store is discontinuing the style without having to check at the store itself every week.
The final tip is to simply buy more gift cards. I know it seems strange, but there are many places that, at various times in the year, will offer 10 percent to 30 percent off your gift card purchase. Others will offer a free item or discounts on future purchases.
So, enjoy yourself while going after holiday crazy. Just don’t go too crazy.
Dylan Biles is a moderator and bargain-hunter for DealTaker.com, an online shopping Web site owned by Media General. E-mail him at Dylan@dealtaker.com .
