Some states have passed laws that gift cards have no expiration date, others have just so many years that they are good. You should check the laws for the state you live in. I think most states have at least five years. In that case, you have at least 5 years to make up your mind.

rhizo, you are a wise woman. I love the idea of stockpiling shampoos etc. I'm so blessed to have a job I love and parents that appreciate me enough to gift with such generosity. I've been "window shopping" at Target.com. It's been fun to look through the different departments and let fantasy reign.

I would go and get me some nice new plush house shoes. they don't last forever, nor are in my budget.

New towels would be nice too, and I absolutely love the shampoo idea.

Moni

I know that feeling of having the card but luxuriating with their unspent possibilities! I've had a $100 bill waiting for me to spend it! But I did use an Amazon card recently, to order a whole case of Dawn Resolve! I've had a Walmart card for some time now....maybe I'll get some new undies with it!

Yessssssssssss! Unspent possibilities!

I found this online at Target...

Do Target GiftCards expire?

No, they don't. They never expire, and there are never any fees. So spend them or save them - your choice. Memories - I was gifted a $50 gift certificate from Macy's that belonged to my grandmother and cashed it 25 years later( quite a hit with the employees at Macy's ) - I lived in San Diego and rode the train to Los Angeles with a girlfriend to spend the day and spend my certificate! Wonderful memories...

If you do buy shampoos or other hair products, wait until they are on sale. Recently I stocked up because it was something like buy three of this product and get a Target gift card for $5.00. I wound up with 4 gift cards....another $20.00. You could keep this going for a long time!

I could spend hundreds in Target. Right now, I'd like to buy shelves for my new office. That'd eat your cards up instantly. So do you have any home improvement projects waiting on you? All new bathroom linens could spruce up the place. So could a new bedspread. Or curtains... limitless!

I'd be a kid in a candy store because I shop at Target every week. One of my fav stores. All good ideas mentioned. I, myself, would get two or three stools for my kitchen.

How wonderful! I am sure there are many needs that could be filled. Look towards things like towels and linens. Those are sometimes very expensive items and Target has some pretty nice ones for less than other places. I would take a few hours and browse the store to see what interests you for a needful replacement.

Enjoy!

Wow! What a problem! It's one I would love to have!

Joann

Another way you could do it is make a list of things that you want/need that can only be bought retail. Go to Amazon and buy something that's on your list that will use up the $25 and put $25 cash in a jar. Then go to Target and do the same with your gift cards and put $100 in the jar. Wrap the jar up in a scrap of wrapping paper and put it away. Then you have all those possibilities waiting for you to unwrap them without the pressure of having to spend gift cards. Even if they redesign the currency, your old bills should be good, and if not, you should be able to trade them in at a bank to spend them. You can keep your jar as long as you want, and when you have something that you really want to buy, you can open it.

I'm more of a practical type. When we had less money, I liked knowing my shelves were stocked with what I needed. One year someone gave me a $25 gift card to Walmart. I went the day after Christmas when everything was marked down and bought Christmas themed paper towels and baggies. Weird, but I felt happy that I had maximized my money to get what I was truly going to use around the house. That Christmas theme on my goods didn't bother me one bit.

I don't usually find deals like that anymore. I wouldn't hesitate to find the best deals I could on toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, etc. Once you spend over a certain amount, you get free shipping to your home. I'd take comfort in knowing I didn't have to buy have to buy certain staples for six months or a year. Peace of mind is a gift in itself.

Why not buy groceries with your card, then put the cash you would have used in a fireproof place - cash between my fingers feels so luxurious!

I am also guilty of doing this....DS always gives me money to get myself something, but I put it in a safe place and save until I really want something...and last year, I did spent most of it on landscaping and I think of him when I admire it...and have good thoughts. Perhaps you might get something pretty and new for your home so every time you look at it, you smile!....it will make your pleasure last longer.

I just saw a really nice cute sweater someone posted on the sleep sweater post on home Decorating conversation area. I was considering going to see if they have them in the local target. They have a good grocery store, lots of household items, you may find an adult coloring book and some gel pens to get started on a new hobby, it's not very expensive. Or if you read a new good book.

LoL This is not helping!!! So many lovely things and great ideas! I live in a small apt, so storage is at a minimum. Oh! Shelves! I could really use shelves in the hall closet! One of my problems is, I really really hate buying retail (my favorite store is a local thrift store!), so paying retail for something I could find for a fraction of the price just goes against my grain. I'm also considering bed linens. Sheets aren't something I'd buy used, and can be so luxurious!

Hi - also thinking you might want to check out Target's grocery dept., if you can't think of anything else - or the Health & Beauty dept. - you might come across some fun items you might never purchase otherwise. They also sell electronics & outdoor/sports items. Take your time - as stated above, gift cards don't spoil & after holiday sales can be really good deals...

jeaninwa, I have several sets of higher end sheets from Target. I bought them on clearance as I try not to pay full price for things. They've held up really well; no pilling or tears. I scoured as many Target stores as I could find and bought several sets. They are Fieldcrest Luxury 500 thread count sheets.

I paid $40 for a king size set. Granted this was about 6 years ago but I'm sure you can still find deals! I did the same with towels. Checked for end of season sales and got some really nice towels at a great price.

Go treat yourself!

To maximize savings on ordinary grocery items start watching deal sites like couponing couple and southern savers. They link sales with printable coupons. Drug stores have better deals than Target on toiletries. Sheets will all get marked down during the month of January. Buy them then if that's what you are leaning towards. Target has lots of regular items with Xmas packaging-sometimes subtle that gets mixed in with regular items and people don't realize it's clearanced. I bought an entire shopping cart of Puffs tissue double packs last year for 29 cents instead of $2.99. Foil and scotch tape too are good finds.

Oh yes! on the seasonal clearances - I got 2 nice coco fiber doormats w/ a floral print & they were clearance because it was a 'summer' design (but not really)...

Our target carries a nice supply, even frozen items and deli item of food--in fact sometimes there cereal is cheaper that WM. Also they carry a good selection of office supplies along with a good selection of vitamins and food supplements.

I've been looking at Target's online store, but I'm thinking it may be a blast to wander through the aisles of a brick and mortar store! Thanks for all the wonderful ideas and suggestions!