Discounted Gift Cards save you Bundles

Did you even know discounted gift cards were available out there? If not, this is a great savings advantage. Not only can you use them as gifts, but you can also use them to make purchases of your own.

Currently, there are many different clubs you can join, by invitation, and save between 10% to 20% off on your gift cards. Often times, the gift cards come in $10 or $25 increments. Really, the only inconvienence this causes, is if you are buying something online. Some retailers will only allow 4 gift cards to be used, for example, which is only $100. But, what if you are buying something for $150? I have worked around this many times, though. I will go to the store and buy a $100 gift card and pay with 4-$25 gift cards ( then I only paid $80 for it at 20% off ). Then, I only have 3 gift cards to use online. My husband and I like to do this for wedding gifts as well. Since we used to give cash as gifts for the actual wedding, we now find out where they are registered and buy a gift card instead. If we want to give $75, for example, I do the same thing. I pay with my 3-$25 cards and get one gift card to give as the gift.

The other advantage is that they can be combined with coupons. Kohl's is a great example, as well as Macy's, Linens N Things, etc. If I get a 30% coupon in the mail, I can then use my 20% off gift cards on top of them and save almost approx. 50% on my purchase. Many times, this is on items that are on sale, too. So, my savings can be through the roof!!!! Now, you may ask, what if the coupon states it needs to be used with your store credit card ( as Kohl's often does ). Well, if I have a $25 gift card, I just have to make sure I buy at least $25 worth of merchandise to use the coupon. Then, with tax, the total is barely ABOVE $25. They take the 30% coupon off the total, I pay for $25 of it with my 20% gift card, and then the tax ( or the tiny amount over $25 ), I pay on my Kohl's credit card. Thus, I used the credit card, but got the full discount.

Now, you may ask...how much does the club cost? Well, they all ranged anywhere from $9.99 a month to $29.95 a month. This seems extreme, and in most cases...I will not pay this. Most of the clubs I have joined will give you a better offer when you call to cancel after your trial membership. All of the clubs I am members of offered me the same deal. I called to cancel, and the recording offered me a full year for the price of one month, $29.95. Plus, they sent me a free $25 gift card as a member. So, essentially, the club cost me less than $5 for a year. Well worth the cost! If they don't offer you a deal to stay, and you still want to remain a member, as always, have an excuse ready to back out of the cancellation.

Another way to help pay for the membership fee or to just make extra money is to sell the gift cards to friends and family. I put together an order form and mail it out once a month with the list of merchants/cost/savings and total price. Every month, I have many friends buy gift cards off of me. I usually charge them 5% more than what I am buying them for from my club. That way I make a little bit for organizing, tracking and ordering them for everyone. And, they still save a lot of money.

Also, ebay is another great place to sell gift cards and make some extra income. This is also a great place for you to buy gift cards if you are not a member of a club. You can get amazing deals! So, if you are getting ready to make a big purchase, check for cards online. And, then check for coupons for that store, as well. With the combination, you can save, save, save! If you are not a member of ebay, sign up here. Or, click on the picture above. Don't forget to log into ebay through Big Crumbs, too, when bidding now or in the future. You get a percentage back of every purchase...so even on the gift cards you buy!

If you want to try trading or bidding on gift cards, you can also try http://www.cardavenue.com/ or http://www.plasticjungle.com/. I have used both of these sites, and they are wonderful. The fees are fairly low to trade, so if you do have gift cards you don't want, you can trade them for face value for a retailer you would rather have. Or, you can sell it! And, this is another graat spot to look at when searching for gift cards you might want!

Now, back to the club route. I have run into many different clubs over the years. Some of them are: Passport to Fun, At Home Rewards, Value Max, Shopping Essentials, Today's Escape, Critics Choice, Easy Saver, Value Plus. And, I am sure there are many others out there, too. And, like I mentioned earlier, you can't just go to their website and sign up. Either, you get asked via a phone call offer or via an offer online. Many of these offers are a result of doing freebie sites, which I will write about at a later time. But, my suggestion is if you are ever offered a membership to one of these sites, you go ahead and take it.

And, if you would like to see what merchants are available on some of the sites...here is a list of what I have access to monthly!

Ace Hardware
A Pea in the Pod
Amazon.com
American Eagle Outfitters
Applebees
Aquarium
Babies R Us
Bahama Breeze
Baja Fresh
Barnes and Nobles
Bass Pro Shop
Bath and Body Works
Bed Bath and Beyond
Benningans
Best Cuts
Best Western
Blockbuster
Bloomingdale's
Bon Ton
Bonanze Steakhouse
Bonefish Grill
Borders/Waldenbooks
Borics
Brunswick Zone
Burger King
Cabela's
Cadillac Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Callaway Golf
Carabba's Italian Grill
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Chilis
Circuit City
Corner Bakery
CVS
D'angelo Sandwich Shop
Dave and Busters
Dillards
Dress Barn
Edwards
Elder Beerman
f.y.e.
Fisherman's Wharf
Fleming's
Foot Locker
Frangrancenet.com
Gap
Hair Masters
Hard Rock Café
Harry and David
Holiday Hair
Home Depot
Jackson & Perkins
JcPenney
Joes Crab Shak
K Mart
KB Toys
KFC
Kemah Boardwalk
Kohl's
Landrys Seafood House
Lands End
Lane Bryant
Lee Roy Selman
Lilian Vernon
Linens N Things
LL Bean
Lord and Taylors
Macaroni Grill
Macy's
Maggiano's
Master Cuts
Menards
Mia and Max
Mimi Maternity
Motherhood Maternity
Old Navy
Olive Garden
Omaha Steaks
On The Border
Orvis
Outback Steakhouse
Papa Gino's
Pier One
Pizza Hut
Planet Hollywood
Ponderosa Steakhouse
Rainforest Café
Red Envelope
Red Lobster
Regis Salon
Ritz Camera
Sears
Sharper Image
Smart Style
Smokey Bones
Sony Awards
SpaFinder
Sports Authority
Staples
Steak and Ale
Stlye America
Sunglass Hut
TGI Fridays
The Crab House
The Plano Tavern
The Rusty Duck Restaurant and Saloon
The Sharper Image
Timberland
Toys R Us
Trade Secret
Watch Station
Wendys
Willie Gs

And, although this is a long list, this isn't even all of them you can get access to when bidding on line, trading or with all of the clubs. I am only a member in a few clubs!!

I hope you definitely look into this method next time you go shopping or need a gift, it can save you bundles! And, don't hesitate to email me at moneysavingmethods@yahoo.com if you need any gift cards. I often buy extras and don't end up using them, so you never know what I have on hand that I can sell!