Author Topic: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?  (Read 4792 times)

ardrum

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How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« on: February 11, 2017, 02:48:11 PM »
I have about $160 on an amazon gift card balance sitting idly that I'd like to use to purchase practical (and relatively cheap) items so that I can free up money I'd otherwise use on those items to direct toward my student loans. 

I figured I'd ask the MMM community if they were familiar with any particularly good purchase deals at Amazon to maximize value for the particular product or product category.  I'm just basically looking for inspiration/ideas since I'm otherwise seeing this as $160+ not working for me while it sits there idle.

Thanks!

MsFrugalista

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2017, 03:05:25 PM »
I haven't necessarily found too many things on Amazon to be cheaper than other places. You can check out their third party gift cards, here, and if you make purchases to a certain store/merchant often or have one coming up, maybe use your amazon gift card balance to buy a gift card from that merchant? Amazon also sometimes have certain gift cards on sale (e.g. we have bought Airbnb gift cards at 40% off. I also currently see Jiffy Lube selling for $40 for a $50 gift card (only helpful if you own a car and don't change the oil yourself)). However, ONLY buy them if you plan on using them in the near future. I have found sometimes you buy gift cards and they sit around and you forget to use them.

Another option is to check out common household items (toilet paper, paper towel, batteries, light bulbs, etc.). I would compare the prices at your local stores first. I have also found that we buy stuff from Amazon for the convenience of getting them shipped to our home. Otherwise, I wouldn't go out of my way to use Amazon.

JLee

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2017, 04:57:25 PM »
Gift card credit doesn't expire, so you could just wait until you need something.

Davids

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2017, 07:02:34 PM »
Can you sell it? Maybe you could get $155 for it?

AMandM

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2017, 08:09:53 PM »
I use Amazon mostly for items that are a pain to buy IRL. Some are just plain hard to find (e.g. bottled ink, malt powder), some aren't available in stores near me (pet supplies). 

There are some things that I have found to be cheaper than in my local stores: bicycle inner tubes, furnace filters.

Also books, new or second-hand.

JLee

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2017, 09:14:02 PM »
I use Amazon mostly for items that are a pain to buy IRL. Some are just plain hard to find (e.g. bottled ink, malt powder), some aren't available in stores near me (pet supplies). 

There are some things that I have found to be cheaper than in my local stores: bicycle inner tubes, furnace filters.

Also books, new or second-hand.

I have a license plate light and brake light out on my car - I was at the auto parts store to get new bulbs and checked Amazon on a whim...they were cheaper online.

Amazon has free same-day delivery for a lot of stuff in my area, so it's incredibly convenient. I rarely go to stores for anything except food now (and Ikea, because they have some stuff that's absurdly cheap).

GoBigRed

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2017, 09:17:01 PM »
See if you can find some grocery store gift cards that you might use on a regular basis.  I have done this a few times.  We have done for Whole Foods and a few others.

Also see if they stock any food staples.  You may be surprised what they have  available, but really depends on your diet.  We get a few gluten free and baking staples on a regular basis from Amazon.

SachaFiscal

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2017, 07:24:30 AM »
I like to use Amazon gift cards and rewards (I have an Amazon credit card) for birthday and Christmas gifts for friends and family. Since much of my family lives fairly far away from me, it's nice to be able to just directly ship (for free) their gifts directly to them.

ardrum

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #8 on: February 12, 2017, 08:25:18 AM »
Thanks for all these suggestions!  I definitely appreciate the various perspectives/ideas I get on this forum.

Rural

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Re: How should I spend an Amazon gift card?
« Reply #9 on: February 12, 2017, 11:04:34 AM »
I buy parts (auto and appliance have both come from there), food items unavailable locally, socks, all gifts, and tons else with Amazon gift cards. If nothing else, save the balance for gifts you'd otherwise spend money on.