myMoneyTree » Christmas

Gift Card Spending Guide

Jessica B. — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:28:52 +0000

A lot of you probably received gift cards over the Holidays and might need some help making sure you get every penny of your gift. Here are a few tips you may want to consider to get the most out of your present.

DON’T HOARD THE CARD: Use the card; don’t just put it in your wallet or on your desk to use at a later date. “The chances of knowing where you placed that gift card in two or three months is slim. The giver gave you that card because they want you to spend it, not just put it in your wallet.

STRATEGIZE WHAT YOU’LL BUY: Think about how you want to spend the gift card before you use it. Do you want to splurge on yourself, as the gift card giver probably intended? Do you want to use the extra money on the card to buy necessities and basics? Either way, try to look for discounts to maximize the value of the card. A lot of stores are offering post-Christmas discounts right now, so it may be a good time to head back to the mall…..YEAH!

USE THE WHOLE CARD: Leaving a few dollars on a card is akin to throwing a couple dollar bills in the trash. Use the whole card, even if the remaining value just goes toward paying for something that costs more than a few dollars.

EXCHANGE CARDS: If you don’t like the store that Aunt Gina gave you a gift card to, try to swap it for another gift card. CardHub.com just launched a Gift Card Exchange App on Facebook where you can list and exchange gift cards with all your friends. Other sites, such as PlasticJungle.com and GiftCardRescue also let you exchange gift cards or donate them to charity, although you often lose a percentage of the value of the card in the process. Or, you can just re-gift an unwanted card instead of buying someone a gift.

CHECK EXPIRATION DATES: Most gift cards don’t have this anymore, although a few do. Check to see if any fees kick in if you haven’t used up the card’s balance by a certain time. Also, check to see if there’s anything you or the retailer can do before you throw out a card that says it’s expired. Sometimes, you can reactivate an expired card.

20 Tips to Save Money During the Holidays

Jessica B. — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 19:49:26 +0000

The holidays are certainly one of those times when we need to implement as many money-saving tips as we can; so that we can spend less and enjoy the true meaning of Christmas! Here are 20 easy to follow tips to ensure you don’t break the bank this holiday season.

Christmas Cards:

1. If it’s not in your budget to send Christmas cards this year it’s okay, your friends and family will understand. You may want to scale down the list and only send cards to the people you would like to get in touch with the most.

2. Make a brief phone call. Your friends and loved ones would probably much rather hear your voice than receive a card in the mail. Many cell phones have plans that include Long-Distance for free. It may take some more time, but it’s good to actually talk to someone (instead of digital communication!!).

3. Cut your old Christmas cards from last year in half and send the pretty side as a postcard. You’re being ‘earth friendly’ by reusing old items for a new purpose. And they require less postage than a regular card!

Wrapping Paper:

4. Use pretty magazine pages to wrap small gifts.

5. The comic section of your newspaper also makes nice wrapping paper. (I once saved them up for a few months before Christmas and had enough to make a gift out of a relative’s favorite comic strip. They loved it!)

6. Use your children’s artwork, or create your own on plain paper… the large reams of packing paper are great for this, contact anyone who’s in the process of moving!

7. No need to buy expensive ribbons and bows to decorate your packages, if you hunt around you can find the cheap stuff that will be just as pretty!

8. Cut up old Christmas cards make wonderful gift tags too!

Decorations:

9. Don’t decorate, that is always an option! Or decorate with nature! (See more below.)

10. Save your children’s (or grandchildren’s) holiday crafts and artwork from school each year, after a few years you’ll have a houseful of free and beautiful decorations! And the joy your child will feel seeing his/her artwork proudly displayed year after year is priceless.

11. Have a warm and cozy Christmas the old-fashioned way. Pop some popcorn and string it up all over the house! Add some cranberries to your popcorn string for a touch of color, very pretty.

12. Decorate your house by bringing the outside in, using pinecones and acorns. Sprinkle with a few drops of pine scented oil if you have it on hand.

13. Invest in a good quality artificial tree after Christmas – when they go on CLEARANCE SALE! Buy good quality because they will last many more years.

Entertainment:

14. Another great and frugal way to entertain the family through the holidays is to take a drive around your town, or another town nearby to see their Christmas lights. It’s a family tradition of ours to do this during Christmas week and we look forward to it every year!

15. Get out the board games, the kids will love spending time with you. If you don’t have many to choose from, maybe you can borrow a new game from a friend or neighbor. You never know, they might have a closet full they never even use and would be delighted to share them with you!

16. Playing cards is always fun too, even when the kids are little you can play Go Fish… we’re making memories here folks!

17. Sing, sing, sing! Many churches and groups even have caroling get-togethers in December, what fun!

18. Sit around a warm fire, or cozy up in the living room. Tell family stories… or have everyone take turns saying how they have been blessed throughout the year, like we do at Thanksgiving. Being thankful shouldn’t end in November, keep the spirit going!

19. Have a family gathering to decorate the tree, wrap gifts, or bake cookies.

20. Check out a Christmas book from the library and read it together as a family. Or, decide on a story and have everyone contribute a chapter to create a new Christmas book… maybe even one about your own family!

Do you have any tips to save money during the holidays? Share them below!

Photo Credit: pfala, St0rmz, kristin_a, chrstphre

25 Days of Free from Amazon

Derek Allen — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:09:01 +0000

Amazon is running a promotion up until Christmas that offers a free Christmas mp3 download a day. The first one is already up: Joy to the World – Casting Crowns

Check back each day to take advantage of the free music download.

Amazon’s 25 Days of Free

Thanks to Wisebread for sharing this!

Amazon Offering Free Christmas Music Mix Download

Derek Allen — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 19:06:29 +0000

Amazon is offering a free christmas music album mix for download. Here is the track list:

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Frank Sinatra
Good King Wenceslas - Paul Weston & His Orchestra
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Remastered 1997) - The Robert Shaw Chorale;Al ChernetPaul Weston & His Orchestra
Deck the Halls - Mario Lanza;Henri René and His Orchestra
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Digitally Mastered May 1990) - Norman Luboff Choir
Panis Angelicus - Robert Goulet
Silent Night, Holy Night - Mahalia Jackson

It is available for free download here.

Thanks to Saving Cents with Sense for sharing this.

1. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear	Frank Sinatra	3:32	FREE
	2. Good King Wenceslas	Paul Weston & His Orchestra	2:50	FREE
	3. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Remastered 1997)	The Robert Shaw Chorale;Al Chernet	2:45	FREE
	4. Deck the Halls	Mario Lanza;Henri René and His Orchestra	1:58	FREE
	5. O Come, All Ye Faithful (Digitally Mastered May 1990)	Norman Luboff Choir	2:32	FREE
	6. Panis Angelicus	Robert Goulet	3:13	FREE
	7. Silent Night, Holy Night	Mahalia Jackson	5:04	FREE