Use Gift Cards as a Budgeting Tool — Here’s How

Gift cards come in handy for the holidays, birthdays and other celebrations. It makes shopping easy for the gift giver and allows the recipients to get what they want from their favorite stores. While they come in handy for special occasions, have you ever thought of using them to budget for everyday expenses? This can benefit those who tend to spend money in the wrong places when actual cash is used. This method can also help people who find themselves overspending when using credit cards. No matter how you choose to purchase them, you are locked into the designated amounts to guard against impulse buys or spending elsewhere when you shouldn’t. The only prerequisite is that you know how much you should be spending in each category and be sure to buy no-fee gift cards. For some helpful tips to use gift cards for budgeting and stretching your dollars,visit our sister site, Living on the Cheap.