The Ultimate Guide To Using Coupons For Gifts This Holiday

Remember when you needed paper coupons to save on groceries? Those days are over. Now, supermarkets, dollar stores, and big-box retailers are all about digital deals through apps and websites. Digital coupons are way more popular than paper ones. Whether shopping for gifts or just trying to save some cash, gift cards are a great way to get more bang for your buck. Here are five tips to save money with gift cards:

Take Advantage of Give One, Get One Gift Card Offers

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Around the holidays and other special occasions like Father's Day and Mother's Day, retailers often have promotions where you buy one gift card and get a bonus for free. For example, your local grocery store may offer deals like Buy $200 in gift cards, and get $20 off your next grocery trip. Other stores have similar offers. When you see these deals, you must consider your upcoming shopping needs and determine how to make the most of them. Here's how to save money with gift cards:

1. Quick Savings: I bought a $25 CVS e-card and a free $5 e-gift card. I used both at CVS and got $30 worth of stuff for just $25.
2. Regular Buying: Costco sells $100 gift cards to Baja Fresh for $79.99. So, every time we eat there, our burritos cost less.
3. Planned Expense: If I have a big project coming up, I buy the gift cards, and I'll need to cover it and snag the freebie. For example, if I'm planning a Home Depot run, I'll grab $200 in Home Depot gift cards to get $20 off groceries.

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Buy Discount Gift Cards to Use

Who says gift cards have to be gifts? People often buy discount gift cards for themselves. When holidays are coming up, you can order them in advance. If you pair them with coupons and sales, you can save 30-40%. You can also save on Easter clothes using discount gift cards. Sometimes, discount gift cards look worn because they've been in someone's wallet. If you get one too beat up to gift, take it to the store and use it to buy a new one. You can even split up the amount if you need to. Easy peasy, significant savings, and excellent results.

Saving Money With Discount Gift Cards 

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Save some cash by picking up discount gift cards that the person you're gifting will love. You can find discounts starting from 2% for gas station cards or 6% for iTunes, up to significant savings like 20% at popular clothing stores. You'll pay less for the card, but the recipient still gets its total value.

Stick to Your Budget

It's easy to overspend on traditional gifts. Finding the perfect gift within that range can be challenging, even if you have a budget. Gift cards simplify it because you choose how much to spend and load it onto the card.

Opt for Gift Cards Over Cash

Giving cash can feel awkward and might make you want to give more than you can afford. Gift cards can feel the same, but adding a personal touch can make a big difference. For example, kids can make homemade bookmarks with a $10 bookstore gift card. Adding a little DIY can make any gift card feel special.

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Check at Supermarkets and Drugstores

The best places to start with digital coupons are supermarkets and drugstores, where you have a loyalty card. Head to the store's website or app and create an account. Link your loyalty card by entering your card number or scanning it with your phone. Here's what to do next:

1. Look for the Coupons or Deals section on the app or website. Tap or click on it to see available coupons.
2. Scroll through the deals, often categorized by items like Fruits and Vegetables or Personal Care. Tap or click on the deals you want, usually marked with a plus sign or scissors icon. The deals will load onto your loyalty card account.
3. To use a coupon, scan your loyalty card at self-checkout or have the cashier scan it. If you forget your card, the cashier can scan the barcode from your phone, or you can use a linked phone number.

Get Target Deals

Head to the Target website and click on Deals at the top left of the home page. From the drop-down, click on Target Circle Offers (you can also find it on the Target app home page). Sign up for the Circle loyalty club to get perks like exclusive grocery discounts. Here's how to grab Target digital coupons on the app:

1. Tap Target Circle Offers, then All to see the digital coupons.
2. Choose one of the 12 categories and scroll to see current offers. In the food category, you can use filters to check out subcategories like Baking Supplies or Deli & Meat.
3. Hit the plus sign. A check mark means the offer is now in your account.
4. While shopping, tap the Wallet icon at the bottom, then tap Saved Offers to see your coupons. Using the apps barcode scanner under the Discover icon, you can also check for more offers.
5. At checkout, tap Wallet at the bottom, then tap the red bar labeled Show My Barcode. Show it to the cashier, and your coupons will be applied.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of using coupons for holiday shopping can transform your gift-giving experience. Not only will you save money, but you'll also find something special for everyone on your list without the usual stress and financial strain. By planning, staying organized, and taking advantage of online and in-store deals, you can make the most of the holiday season while keeping your budget intact. Although it takes a bit of planning to save money with gift cards, the discounts are significant and worth the effort. Happy shopping, and enjoy the festivities!