Gift cards are great, if you get the one that you want–or at least one you know you can use. But if you know immediately that this is one you are not likely to use (ever), then do something about it right now! Don’t stick it in your wallet for months hoping to feel differently, trade it in for another card or for cash.

Exchange Unwanted Gift Cards

There are many ways to turn a gift card into cash. You won’t get the full value of the card, but getting a high percentage of cash back is better than holding the card indefinitely and getting nothing. Below are two gift card swap sites I’ve used personally:

• Plastic Jungle: Sell your gift cards for cash! Get up to 92% of the balance. You can opt to get paid by check, PayPal, exchange for an Amazon.com gift card.
• Cardpool.com: Sell Your Gift Cards For Cash at Cardpool.com! You only receive payment by check, but you can actually sell the gift card electronically–meaning you can cash it in without sending the physical card.

Sneaky Alternative

If you received a gift card to a store that has a kiosk, then go to the store and use your gift card to buy a new one. For example, if you received a Michael’s Craft Store coupon and you’re crafted out from the holidays, go to Michael’s anyway. But a new gift card from their kiosk and pay for it with the Michael’s gift card. Totally works. Totally legit. More legwork than using a swap website, but you get full value for the card.

And don’t forget to check out my other advice: Eight Ways to Use Your Gift Cards.

Do you shop JC Penney or Kohl’s? If so, click over to GiftCardRescue.com and buy gift cards for personal shopping.

3 Reasons to Buy Gift Cards for Youself?

If you shop these stores anyway, might as well get 16% savings before you even head into the store. Here are 3 reasons to buy gift cards now for future purchases:

• Back to School Shopping – Ease the budget crunch that happens at the start of each school year. Both stores have great Back to School sales. So buy the gift card now and combine the 16% savings with in-store offers and you can save a bundle.
• Cheap summer clothes – We just went through the kids drawers and all are in need of shorts and t-shirts for the summer. With a 16% savings at either store, I can get what we need for less.
• Graduation or Wedding gift – Give the gift card as the gift or use the 16% savings to buy a traditional gift at either of these stores. They have everything from clothes to furnishings.

Break it up!

Wanna know a trick? You can buy a gift card with a gift card–which allows you to get a gift card that looks like new or break up the dollar amount into smaller gift card denominations. For example, get a $100 gift card at GiftCardRescue.com for $84. When the used gift card arrives in the mail, go to JC Penney and buy two $50 gift cards that look new and are ready to gift. (Plus, that’s an easy way to ensure the gift card is valid.

Jamba Juice is doing it right this holiday season. At participating locations, you can buy a $25 gift card and get a free smoothie. If you’re a Jamba Juice regular, buy the gift card for yourself and start slurping! If you’re going to give a Jamba Juice gift card, then this next offer is even better.

Gift with Purchase

As Kevin B at the San Ramon Jamba Juice explains, for $15, you get a 22 oz. Tumbler and a $5 Jamba Juice gift card. I love ths promotion because it follows my 5 Steps to Better Gift Card Giving. The gift card can be used at a variety of locations, is in a usable amount ($5 is plenty for Jamba Juice), and the recipient gets to “open something.” This would make a great gift for teachers, office staff, and others you want to give a small token to this holiday season.

Add a Personal Scoop

Make it even more personal by putting a list of your favorite smoothies or the “secret Jamba Juice menu” inside the tumbler. Have fun with it.

Parents required to buy $5000 in gift cards?

In this article about a school’s gift card fundraising program, Sarah Lorge Butler writes that she is not only required to participate, but is obligated to buy $5,000 worth of gift cards to net the school $250. While Butler has the option to write a check to the school for $250, the program gives parents a way to buy things they’d normally buy without spending additional money. In other words, buy $5000 in gift cards to the grocery store, hardware store, office supply store, and so forth. Then use the cards every time you shop. Proponents of the plan say it’s better than pressuring parents into buying wrapping paper, cookie dough, or other fundraising products they don’t need. I get it. But the limit is way too steep for my budget.

In addition to personal shopping, here are a few ways Butler can meet her obligation:

1. Offer to buy the group gift. Think about upcoming baby showers, bridal showers, coach gift, teacher gifts, and other occassions where people pitch in to buy one big gift. Collect money from participants and buy the gift card through the fundraiser program.
2. Give gift cards to her kids. I use gift cards to teach my kids about money because it helps them learn that plastic money (credit cards, debit cards, and gift cards) isn’t limitless. It may seem that way to little eyes when mom pulls a card out at every cash register, but not so. Gift cards help kids learn to shop within a budget. So Butler might consider getting gift cards for times when she might otherwise give her kids cash–allowance, vacation spending money, birthdays, etc.
3. Plan ahead. Think holidays, birthdays, graduation for the year and buy gift cards in advance so you don’t end up buying other things at the last minute. Don’t worry that gift cards will feel impersonal, most people love to receive them and you can add a personal touch using one of my many ideas. And don’t worry about these gift cards expiring because gift card laws have changed. No fees for a year and no expiration for at least five.
4. Build a stash. Buy extra gift cards to pull out for birthdays and special occasions you hadn’t planned for. I usually have a few extra iTunes gift cards on hand because it is a gift card nearly everybody enjoys and can be used anywhere. Amazon.com, Fandango, and online bookstores would also be good.

For any gift card purchased, I’d be sure to enter and track them in an app like Tango Card. This will not only help Butler use the cards purchased, but could speed check out processes that sometimes work faster if you know the balance on the card before starting the transaction.