Keeping my kids in shoes that fit and pants long enough to cover their ankles is stressing me out.  We didn’t even make it to November before everybody needed new school shoes.  And my boys, “Johnny Rotten and Jimmy Rotten” as Paul calls them, have suddenly hit an eating stride.  We had to buy a family size pizza the other day for the first time ever.  I’m scared for the teenage years.

But thankfully, I know three ways to use gift cards this Christmas to release some of that financial pressure.  You can do the same:

1. Stay within your budget.  Don’t feel embarrassed by the amount you put on the card. Stick to what you can afford and make the card more inviting using one of my many gift card suggestions.  For example, I’m having the kids make homemade bookmarks to package up with gift cards to the bookstore.  The activity will keep the kids occupied and help me deliver a sentimental gift without overspending.
2. Buy discount.  Props to Costco.  Not only can you buy an increasing number of gift cards at Costco, but you can buy them for less than face value.  I’m not lying.  Two $50 Baja Fresh gift cards will only cost you $79.99.  There isn’t much flexibility in that you have to buy the pair and you can’t choose a different dollar amount.  But you can split the gift cards into two gifts instead of one.
3. BOGO.  Almost daily I see a new “buy one get one free” gift card offer.  For example, Safeway is currently offering $10 off a future shopping trip of $50 or more with the purchase of $150 worth of gift cards in a single transaction.  Brooke is excited because her favorite spa (SkinSpirit) is offering a $25 gift card when you buy a $100 card. Similar deals are seemingly everywhere.  (One caution, however, is that the free card is often only valid for a limited time so check the time period before you purchase.)

Now listen, this is key.  Even if you’re not planning to spend that much in gift cards, you can still take advantage of the savings by gift carding yourself. 

• Do you eat lunch at Baja Fresh regularly?  Then buy a gift card at Costco and save yourself the twenty bucks.
• Before you go to Best Buy to get that new iPod, buy a gift card to Best Buy from Safeway.  Then go to Best Buy and purchase the iPod with the gift card you just bought.  No new expenditure–just collecting the free Safeway gift card on the way to the electronics store.

Taking advantage of these offers might require a little strategizing, but you’re leaving money at the checkstand if you don’t at least try.

I want to know about other gift card deals you’ve spotted.  Brooke is on me to start a forum of sorts to let you know about these gift card deals.  While we’re figuring out the technology, post a comment on to let us know what you’ve seen.