Give Gift Cards to Receive Rewards Points

Get more for less this Holiday Season when you give gift cards as presents.  Sometimes it just makes more sense to give a gift card to family, friends or service providers (i.e. salon, pet sitter, babysitter, etc)  Many of us have those handy-dandy reward programs attached to our credit or debit card. Log on to your card's website; most rewards programs are on-line and offer the latest program details. If you are a point-saver (those little points really add up over time) you may qualify for one or more gift cards.

Every month my particular credit card showcases a different gift card at less than the going rate.  Most card programs offer choices like department stores, restaurants, hotels, gas and services and make wonderful gifts.  If you plan ahead not only will you save precious cash, you can make your earned points go farther.

As always, don't spend more than you have to buy things, just to get the points. Going into debt will not help your cause to win financially. Before spending any money buying gifts with a credit card, open up excel and create a simple budget to limit the amount of purchases.  Winning rewards points feels like a good incentive but could be counter-productive to getting out of debt.