Gift Cards

Gift cards have become an easy way to shop and the great thing is that you can buy them any time during the year. They are good for birthdays, Christmas, Valentines Day, weddings, house warmings, and for any other reason or season. Many grocery stores, department stores, drug stores, mini marts and other retail outlets have made gift cards an attractive alternative for people who don't have the time, nor the desire, to go shopping at malls or other stores.

There is a gift card for just about anything you may want to buy a friend, relative, co-worker, client, customer, or for yourself. Gift cards are fun and they makes shopping convenient for the gift giver. They give the recipient the chance to buy things that they really want or need.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, close to 18-billion dollars worth of gift cards changed hands last year. If you've got gift cards on your list this year, money reporter Stacy Johnson offers this advice.

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