Taking part in surveys can be a great avenue to get gift cards from your favorite retailers or e-commerce websites, but utilizing them requires some bit of planning. From your favorite store to the leading online shopping portals, know ways of using them so that you can make the best use of them.
Maximizing the Value of Your Survey Gift Cards
To really maximize survey gift cards, it pays to have a plan going in. Being strategic and patient can turn those rewards into serious savings. Whether it’s stacking deals or timing your purchases, here are some smart strategies to make the most out of survey gift cards.
#1) Prioritize Needs Over Wants
One of the first steps to making effective use of survey gift cards is to focus your attention on items that you need rather than impulsive purchases. Sometimes, it becomes very easy to get carried away with the idea, especially when you get overjoyed at the opportunity of redeeming the rewards. Just take a step back and reassess what you truly need, then use the gift card toward essential items. This won’t just save you some out-of-pocket expenses but will also ensure that your reward is used for something worthwhile.
#2) Wait for Sales and Discounts
Patience is a virtue when trying to maximize the value of any gift card. Rather than spending it the very moment you get it, wait until a sale or discount is available. Many retailers have seasonal promotions, holiday sales, or special discount days. By taking advantage of those events correctly, you can get more with the same amount of money. For example, if you time Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales, you could easily double or even triple the purchasing power of your reward.
#3) Combine Gift Cards With Coupons or Promo Codes
One of the best ways to really stretch your survey gift card is by stacking multiple offers. Before making any purchase, see whether you can use your gift card in combination with available coupons or promo codes. Most retailers won’t hassle a customer over applying discount codes, even for gift card purchases. You can check out websites like RetailMeNot or Honey for those deals. You can combine promotions, sales, and your gift cards for even greater savings on your purchases.
#4) Use Your Gift Cards for Bulk Purchases
If you are planning to purchase more than one item or to stock up on household staples, you may want to use your survey gift card for bulk purchases. Often, bulk purchases have their own discounts and savings. For instance, if you are shopping at a wholesale store that offers you bulk pricing, the savings per item will be greater compared to buying them individually. Hence, spending your gift card on those kinds of products brings the most value in return.
#5) Avoid Buying Things You Could Do Without
Of course, once someone has a gift card, he can buy himself all kinds of things he might not have purchased otherwise. And that might well be precisely what he’s tempted to do. But if you are serious about maximizing your reward, you’d better avoid impulsive purchases. Save your gift card for a future need rather than spending it on something that might not be too functional or necessary. That way, the value of your gift card will not go to waste on an item that may just sit unused.
#6) Track Your Expiration Dates
Some survey gift cards expire, and that may catch recipients by surprise. To avoid losing the value of your rewards, keep track of the expiry date. Most retailers will let you check the balance and expiration date online. Set reminders on your phone/calendar to use the gift card before it becomes invalid. This simple step can prevent wasted rewards. Don’t let your hard work go down the drain!
Conclusion
It takes planning, patience, and just a bit of strategy to use survey gift cards wisely. You will be able to extend the value of each gift card tremendously by making your purchases based on essentials, trying to combine rewards with sales and coupons, and trying to avoid impulse buys. Don’t forget to pay attention to expiration dates so that nothing goes to waste. This will help you maximize the benefit from your survey rewards and let you enjoy more savings in the long run.
Remember, even something as supposedly inconsequential as an online survey gift card can be transformed into a valuable tool for smart shopping. You just need a modicum of foresight!