Tip Store: Shopping: Gift Cards

​RACQ Grocery and Petrol Savings 

​I am a member of RACQ and I realised that by being so I can save 5% on all my groceries, petrol and other everyday items at certain retailers. When you buy Wish Gift Cards online via the RACQ Member Rewards website, as a member you save 5%. So for a $100 card you only pay $95. (Minimum card purchase value is $100). Postage is free or even easier is to buy eWish cards and they will be emailed to you - usually within about 2 hours. I then use the eWish card to buy my groceries so I save 5% on my weekly shop. You don't have to spend the whole value of the card at once. I use an old card with a sticky label on it with the card number and pin, and write the balance on it after each shop. That way I don't lose the card number among the receipts in my wallet. You can also save the 5% at any shop that accepts Wish Gift cards, which includes Woolworth's brand petrol and Big W. Unfortunately our car takes gas and the Woolworths petrol station here doesn't sell gas, but saving 5% on groceries and petrol each week easily covers the cost of RACQ membership.
Contributed by Mikaela Shay

​5% Discount Off Your Groceries at Woolworths 

Did you know that you can get 5% discount off your Woolworths Gift Card if you are a member of the NRMA. If you buy the gift card with the 5% discount you can then use the gift card to buy your groceries. Therefore you instantly are in front by 5%. This is especially handy for those of us that live in the country (roadside membership is essential) and don't have Aldi to shop at only Woolworths or a privately owned supermarket so shopping around for specials is somewhat limited.
Contributed by Janelle Collis

​Gift Cards on Sale

This was suggested to me by someone else - there is a website that sends out an email when gift cards are on special. It's helpful to know where the best deal is. It's also a great way to stock up on gift cards ready for birthdays and Christmas. 
Savings vary - some cards have been 50% off.
Contributed by Emma Seabrook

​Save on Gift Giving with Discounted Vouchers

Approximate $ Savings: $20 - $60 

Save on gift giving. Sometimes gift cards are on sale in supermarkets. Buy one when it's on sale and then redeem it yourself to buy a gift. I wanted to buy my husband a flying lesson for a big birthday. At $300 though it was too much. I found 'Red Balloon' gift cards were 20% off at Woolworths. So I bought $300 worth of gift cards at 20% off. I redeemed the voucher myself, getting the $300 flight for $240. 
​Contributed by Rebecca Takac​

RACWA Members discount

Approximate $ Savings:  $325 per year

Did you know that RAC members are able to purchase Woolworths gift cards at 5% off? Every fortnight I buy a $250 gift card for $237.50, and I then use it to purchase our groceries and fuel. The cards can also be used at Big W, and when buying fuel you can still use your 4c off per litre voucher. Sometimes I will not use all the credit on the card, and I am putting these aside for use at Christmastime when the grocery budget has a bit of a blow-out (be mindful the gift cards are valid for 12 months). I save $325 per year simply by paying for things I would buy anyway using a gift card instead of cash. I also have a nice little stash come Christmas time. I purchase mine through RACWA, I have had a look on the RACQ website and they also have the same offer for their members. 
Contributed by Gina Bouwhuis

Essential Gift Cards Saves Money

Approximate $ Saving: $400+ per year

Bringing up 3 children on a single income has always been a challenge so I am always happy to learn to save money and time using helpful hints from all sources. I buy a $500 gift card from the RAC for $475 which saves me $25 each time. The Essential Gift Card can be used to purchase groceries from Woolworths or Safeway and petrol (which we all need as well) from Woolworths Petrol Plus. I also try to get petrol on the cheapest day therefore I save twice the amount of money. The money we save helps us to visit family and friends in Melbourne for Christmas every second year. 
Contributed by Caroline Nolan

Gift Cards Help Budget on One Wage

​Recently I've had all our friends and family to buy us gift cards from places like Coles, Kmart, Big W, even Super Cheap Auto as gifts. Most of the cards have a 1-2 year use by date. I keep them in a recipe organiser box for quick reference and take them with me when I go out. it helps us out a lot as we are now on one wage and expecting our first bub. I also use Flybys everywhere.  Almost every month I get a $20 gift voucher just for having done the grocery shop each week.
Contributed by Merinda

Save On Luxuries With Discounted Gift Cards

​I buy restaurant coupons on websites like scoopon.com.au at a fraction of the cost. I also buy spa and beauty vouchers and give them away as pamper gifts. The dinner coupons are excellent when you want to give a treat without the killer cost, sometimes you get $100 worth of food for $29. So you already know that you have about 3 to 4 meals covered. On the night of the dinner, you present the voucher and pay the difference if you exceed the nominated amount. Also, when we're at the end of the pay cycle and are terribly broke and dont want to use the credit card to go out, we rely on the vouchers for a bit of a treat. 
Contributed by Sharm Dharmik

Wish Cards for Grocery Spending - Part 2 

​Read Jacqui Majoor's tip on using wish cards to manage a budget for grocery shopping.....there are some schemes that give you discounts off these vouchers (generally 5%, but it's all savings, right?). A quick google search shows that membership to schemes from Ticketek, HBA and Oxfam (prices range from $19.95 to $49.95 per annum) will entitle you to discounts to Coles/Myer or Woolies gift cards amongst other deals. I also get eligibility through my workplace union membership. You need to buy the cards from the scheme, but if you're serious about saving, why not? 
Contributed by Kate Richards

Movie Bargains

​Savings: $60 and counting 

I recently purchased a Hoyts reward card for $10. This entitles the member and everyone who accompanies them to get points on any purchases at the movies. As a reward for joining the club, you get a "free" welcome ticket to watch a movie of your choice. Last week I received an email from Hoyts that as part of a promotion, I was entitled to get 2 free tickets for a movie of my choice and could also use it to watch 3D movies by paying a upgrade small fee of 3$. It is a saving of $18 as the 3D movie ticket costs around 21$. So with 2 free tickets we could enjoy a 3D movie for 6$ instead of the usual $42. Also,every week one of the latest movies is a $10 movie which means the Hoyts reward club members can buy the tickets at $10 which is half price (usual price is $18 to $20). We buy the super saver pack of movie tickets from work which costs us around 11$ a ticket as against the $18 to $20 ticket.So thats a saving of 7-9$ per person. you can also purchase the pack of 10 tickets for 120$ from hoyts and get points for that purchase and also when you use the tickets. This card has helped us save a lot of money.So for a $10 card I have already saved over 60$ and counting. Not to forget that the points I earn on the card can be used to get more free tickets. :) It is a great gift too. 
Contributed by Manasee Arpan Roy

Your Valued Opinions Earn You Money

The Valued Opinions website offers gift cards for completing surveys.  Once you achieve $20 you get a gift card sent to you. You are able to choose what store you want your gift card from as well, I have chosen Woolworths. It takes a few minutes to complete the surveys and you get between $1 - $50 for each survey completed. 
Contributed by Deanne Heath

Related Webiste:
Valued Opinions

Money for Sales and Christmas 

Talking of Christmas in July reminded me of what I do to have money when sales or Christmas comes along. I buy a gift card when I do my weekly shopping, or when I go to a major hardware store. I don't miss the $20 each week. Then I use these cards when sales are on and last Christmas the cards got us through two very expensive weeks without touching our savings. $20 in a purse disappears very quickly, the cards tend not to be used except in an 'emergency'. Any cards left over can be used as Christmas gifts. 
Contributed by Iva Steinke

Cashed Up For Christmas

To prevent a Christmas debt hangover, I have started to buy gift cards each time I get paid. I buy what I can afford; one week it may be a $20 card, the next it may be $100. I put them away and by Christmas I have hundreds of dollars available for presents, food, alcohol and anything else I need to buy for the festive season. There is a wide range of cards available now, from store specific cards to VISA and Mastercard, so you're not limited to certain stores. I find it's an alternative to savings accounts and if I have a lean week where I'm a bit short for groceries, I can quickly use a card to make up the shortfall. 
Contributed by Angie Perea,

​Check Gift Cards

I would like to encourage fellow Cheapskaters to check out-of-date gift cards before tossing them out. I had one that was well over three years old and I thought there was nothing to lose by just ringing the company to find out if they would honour it. Surprisingly enough they told me the card was still valid but I must use it soon, so off I raced with my gift card and "bought" my daughter a gorgeous new top from a store I wouldn't normally visit due to it's prices! My theory is the worst they can say is "no." If you don't ask, you won't know!
Contributed by Keren, Mooroolbark