I’m very fortunate that each year when the holidays roll around I get a lot of gift cards. I like gift cards. I only ask for one or two things, so it’s an easy gift. This year I got a few for Amazon, Dunkin’, the App Store. Places I regularly shop. In the week since Christmas, I’ve bought several things from Amazon. But I couldn’t use my gift cards.
This happens every year. I get a bunch of gift cards and I can’t use them. It’s not that they don’t work (maybe they don’t—I wouldn’t know) but I cant get myself to use this $25 that’s so kindly been given to me for something that isn’t a gift.
Last night I ordered a pack of mints on Amazon. It’s a regular order, I like the mints, I enjoy the mints, but why would I spend my gift card on mints? I’d rather spend it on something special. So, rather than spend $10 from my gift card, I spent $10 from my debit card. Had I used the gift I would have saved $10. But I didn't. I chose not to save money, in hopes of finding something worth my gift.
At first I thought this was an illogical way of spending, but I’m going to try and justify it. If gift cards are a place holder for a gift, then why not save them for something special? Even if I spend money, that I could otherwise save, I’m making the gift special.
This is probably exactly what the corporations want me to think. They get the money either way. If I don’t buy anything, they make a profit from nothing. The longer I wait to spend, the less I can buy with it. Buying more things, for the purpose of spending a gift card, regardless of how special, isn't sustainable. This said, even if I can justify it with my sentimentality, I should just spend the gift cards.
Some thoughts as the holiday season comes to a close. Happy New Year.