INDIANAPOLIS — Gift cards and store credits are going unused to the tune of an estimated $27 billion, according to Bankrate.
That is a lot of money that can go toward your holiday shopping list.
The first thing you want to do is take inventory.
Empty your wallet for physical cards and search your email inbox for digital cards using key phrases including credit, e-card, and e-gift card.
Once you have a list, there are a few options.
The first one is obvious: regift it.
You could also spend the gift card on someone who is on your list.
If you have a gift card that is partially used, you might be able to add value and re-gift it. Tedd Rossman with Bankrate said just make sure the gift card is reloadable.
"Let's say you have $8 left, and you round it up to $25. It's almost like you scored a 33% discount on that item," Rossman said.
It is important to use gift cards sooner rather than later, because if a business closes, you're out of luck.