Comments on: Buy a huge gift card with your rebate?

By: "Mo" Money

"Mo" Money — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:16:13 +0000

I think if you are going to spend the money on an item whether it be food at Kroger’s or necessities at Wal-Mart, you should take the 10%. Some one already said get the gift card and spend it on groceries and put your monthly grocery money into your savings or to pay off debt. 10% is a good return and should not be ignored.

By: philip

philip — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:06:05 +0000

I see the possible problems here, but to get an immediate 10% return on an investment is GREAT. I do not consider that I am buying gift cards as much as getting a loan that PAYS ME! I figure I can go through the $660 in groceries and gas in about 2-3 months.

I do still agree with everyone that simply getting a card at merchandise stores is generally a poor idea unless it is to immediately purchase an item you were going to buy and have saved up for anyway.

By: mbhunter

mbhunter — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:21:00 +0000

Jeremy: That would be convenient if the cards could be split up like that.

By: James

James — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 22:18:44 +0000

MBH,

Thats different. Its cool to buy groceries, otherwise how can you live?

I’m talking about getting silly things like DVDs or plastic ponies or cheap cardboard furniture thats going to fall apart in 6 months. – that stuff drives me up a wall.

Plus, I think the pres is doing a great disservice when he says Americans should “go shopping” – instead they should be paying off credit card debt or socking the bucks into a savings account.

Consumerism sucks and its bad for America. Its the reason why the chinese are kicking our butt right now.

Best,

James

By: Movingonup!

Movingonup! — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:42:39 +0000

I can’t wait to send my $600 to my credit card! Walmart’s not taking my money.

By: Becky@FamilyandFinances

Becky@FamilyandFinances — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:25:20 +0000

I buy groceries at Walmart, too, so I would definitely cash it there if they give a bonus. Otherwise, it’s better to put the Walmart groceries on our credit card and earn 1%

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:44:03 +0000

Kroger, one of the companies offering the 10% gift card bonus, is only using $330 dollar gift cards out. So if you have $600 refund check, you’d receive 2, $330 gift cards.

But remember, gift cards are like cash at most stores, so converting them to smaller gift cards, and not carrying one large amount is probably a prudent thing to do to protect yourself.

One of the largest advantages of these gift cards in my area, is that my Kroger sells gas.. and as we all know, at $3.60 a gallon, it doesn’t take long to go through that gift card, making the return on investment a great deal.

By: mbhunter

mbhunter — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:49:17 +0000

James: We buy groceries at Wal-Mart. Though I suppose I could eat less.

By: James

James — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:16:14 +0000

Whenever I hear someone talking about how they are going to spend their rebate on something silly like going out to eat or buying things at wal-mart, I want go and bang my head against a wall.

Instead, I feel very strongly that people should be saving their money, investing it, or using it for debt reduction.

The USA needs more old fashioned fiscal prudence and less consumerism.

Thanks,

james

By: Eric N.

Eric N. — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:48:14 +0000

I know….I would be sorely disappointed if that’s there only promotion since Wal-Mart is by far where I spend the most money.