“Target GiftCards are a popular Christmas gift, and with a sale of this magnitude, there’s no better time to use them than on Dec. 26,” Kathee Tesija, executive vice president of merchandising, said.

In addition to these in store savings, Target is also offering online discounts and discounts for Gift Card users.  Consumers who want to redeem their gift cards on Target.com on Christmas day will receive $10 off purchases of $50 or more when they enter the promotional code “TGTGFT2U” at checkout.

The online sales seem to trump the in store sales because they are of a wider variety, including electronics,  and available anytime. Also, they give gift card holders the chance to redeem for savings.

Target wants to remind customers that their gift cards never expire, and are able to be reloaded for free at any location or online for amounts up to $2,000.

Note: Target also provides e gift cards on their website. You can send these straight to the inbox of someone that you are looking to surprise.

How To Check Your Target Gift Card Balance

Your first option is to call Customer Service at 1-800-544-2943

You can also visit the Target balance check website here.  Be sure to have your card in hand as you will need the gift card number and access number.

I received a Target Gift Card, But I won’t Use It…

Try using GiftCardRescue.com. With Gift Card Rescue, you can sell or exchange your gift card for cash back. These transactions are backed with a guarantee and you can rest assured that everything will go accordingly.

There are many ways to score gift cards for less around the holidays. Here are 10 awesome ways to score gift cards for less:

1. Gift-card Exchange Sites

For example, GiftCardRescue.com. Sites like this give consumers the chance to buy, sell, and exchange gift cards at discount prices. With GiftCardRescue, the value on the card is backed by a guarantee which should give shoppers a secure feeling. Average deals can range from 8%-25% savings. Daily deals can go even higher and are often announced through their facebook page. Check the site regularly and expect a spike in selection immediately following holidays.

2. Social Buying

This includes sites like LivingSocial and Groupon and typically includes savings anywhere from 10%-60% off. These sites both have smarthphone apps as well as e-mail options which are region specific and will notify you when new deals are posted. Be sure to check out Groupon’s GrouponNow App which will target your location and provide nearby deals.

3. Coinstar Savings

Got change? It’s likely we’ve all seen or used a Coinstar machine at our local grocery store. These machines usually tend to charge 9.8 cents to every dollar counted but will offer free of charge counting in exchange for gift cards to places such as iTunes, CVS, and Amazon among over 25 other merchant partners.

4.  Foursquare 

It’s all fun and games until someone gets a free gift card dropped on them. Seriously, aside from earning badges and becoming mayor, Foursquare has proved to be a useful marketing tool for companies. Starbucks recently awarded 500 $40 gift cards to customers who checked in on their 40th anniversary. Other merchants enter those who check in into store gift card drawings, another tempting customer incentive.

5. Frequent Flier Miles/ Points

Got a bevy of frequent flier points that you haven’t used in ages? Well, not only can these be redeemed for flights but also gift cards to retail outlets and movie theaters. Make sure to check your options through your personal account.

6. Bulk Grocery Clubs

If you pay for a membership to a wholesale warehouse like  Costco, Sam’s Club, or Bj’s you might have the chance to save with direct purchase. These merchants often offer gift cards below retail price. For example, at Bj’s you can buy $100 iTunes for 5% off and $100 Uno Chicago Grill for 20% off. Even Walmart is offering $50 iTunes cards for $40 while supplies last. Don’t miss out on these killer members only steals!

7. Local Media 

Especially around the holidays, local news and media outlets will partner with merchants for promotional discounts.  If you don’t catch any announcements during your viewing, visit the website and search for holiday deals or discount gift cards.

8. Retail Loyalty Programs

Retail stores are all about return customers, which makes up for a large portion of revenue. Many have marketing strategies that include customer loyalty programs which differ based on merchant. Usually, they offer a certain amount off relative to how much you spend. e.g $5 off every $100 spent. This can be a great way to save at your favorite spots.

9. Targeted Smartphone Apps

Savings can be just an Application download away. Social apps like Shopkick and Loopt offer repeat users chances to earn gift cards to local restaurants and retail stores like Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and Crate & Barrel, Rack your “kickbucks”  up this holiday season.

10. Crowd-sourced Deal Sites

This includes sites like slickdeals.com and FatWallet.com. These sites use social networking to find the best bargains around. A search of “gift card” will provide users with any deals available as well as tips for redemption and use.

These $50 gift cards are redeemable for music, movies,  TV shows, audio books, games, ringtones, applications, and magazines. Learn how to redeem your iTunes gift code here.

Frequently Asked iTunes Gift Card Questions:

What’s the difference between the iTunes gift card and the App store gift card?

They are both redeemable for anything in the iTunes store. Note: In Canada you cannot purchase any Apps with a gift card.

How do I check my iTunes gift card balance?

Just look at the top right corner of the iTunes store window on your computer where it shows the account name. Next to the account name there will be a dollar amount which indicates the available funds. You will only be billed to your regular account when this amount is depleted. You can also call 1-888-320-3301.

Is there any other way to redeem an iTunes gift card without setting up an account?

No. If you are concerned about credit card information being stored, we suggest you create an account and then proceed to delete it.

Does my Apple iTunes gift card expire?

Apple does not place expiration dates on their gift cards. There may be specific state laws requiring termination after a dormant period of a few years. Check at purchase.

Lowe’s Moving Coupon

The Lowe’s moving coupon is available in the moving packet that is found at your local United States Post Office [locator]. Just go to the counter where the change of address documents are and you’ll be able to pick the coupon up. You don’t need to actually change your address in order to get the 10% off moving coupon.

Here is what the coupon looks like:

This is a one time use coupon that can be redeemed at any Lowe’s store and cannot be used online.

Buying Discount Gift Cards

If you combine this 10% savings with a Lowe’s Discount Gift Card, you can save up to 20% on your purchase. This will go a long way if you are remodeling your kitchen, bathroom, other room, or buying a new appliance.

All Lowe’s gift cards sold on GiftCardRescue.com come with a full money back guarantee and free shipping. Check out what people are saying about the company!

Every week we release the GiftCardRescue Newsletter that you can sign up for free here. The newsletter is typically sent on Wednesday or Thursday around 3PM Eastern and it will always feature the best discount gift card deals that you will find online. We also release specials every once and while one our Facebook and Twitter Pages, but most of the deals come from the newsletter.

Sign up for our newsletter for the best gift card deals

Here are some examples of past newsletter deals:

• Home Depot and Lowe’s Gift Cards at 9% off
• Boston Market at 25% off
• Walmart Gift Cards for 5% off
• McDonald’s Gift Cards for 15% off

The deals will change each week, so it’s important that you check your inbox on Wednesday and Thursday to see what we’re able to offer that week. Usually we hold the entire stock of gift cards waiting to be released until the newsletter is prepared and then send the newsletter and release the gift cards on our website simultaneously. That way subscribers are the first ones who get a chance to purchase the gift cards. Make sure you purchase quickly because it’s a first come first served policy for all gift cards sold!

Buy a new Macbook & Get a Free iTunes gift card!

How to get a Free iTunes Gift Card

If you buy a qualifying Macbook between June 16th and September 20th 2011, you will receive a 10% discount and a free iTunes gift card worth $100. You must be a registered college student, teacher, staff member, or parent of a college student to be applicable for the discount. You will have to show some sort of identification to get the deal such as a student ID card or copy of your transcripts.

Using your Free iTunes Gift Card

Once you set your new Mac up, you’ll have to register for an Apple account. Registering for your Apple account is incredibly easy and only takes a couple of minutes. After you login to your account you can scratch the back code of the Apple to reveal the iTunes code. Be careful and scratch the back off gently so that you don’t erase any of the code. Enter the code into your App Store or iTunes account and then you can spend the balance on whatever you’d like. Here’s a list of the most popular apps currently available for Mac. 

• You may also be interested in How to Set Up an iTunes Account with a Gift Card.

Craigslist is one of the most popular websites on the net today. A person can find practically anything on craigslist from jobs, to housing, to personals, and anything thing you can think of is for sale, including gift cards.

Craigslist is a centralized network of online communities featuring online classified advertisements. Anybody can post any type of classified add on craigslist. There is very little if any verification done on the part of craigslist to determine if they add is legitimate or not. This makes Craigslist a playground for online scammers. One of the popular ways people take advantage of others using craigslist is by selling fraudulent gift cards.

A fraudulent gift card is one that was purchased with a stolen credit card. One the outside everything appears to be fine. The balance can remain on the gift card for several weeks. However, as soon as the credit card owner realizes their card has been compromised they call their credit card company, and the credit card company issues a chargeback (refund on the purchase). The gift card will then be immediately deactivated.

This means that even if you meet the seller at the merchants store to verify the balance, it could be zeroed out within hours. And you just paid the guy in cash. Ouch.

When purchasing discounted gift cards from classifies sites, the utmost precautions must be taken. If possible, get a receipt from the seller.  To buy discounted gift cards with peace of mind, use companies that are dedicated to customer satisfaction and guarantee every transaction.

Bargain shoppers, penny pinchers and deal hunters already know. The best way to get more bang for your buck, no matter what you’re buying is by using discounted gift cards. The idea is simple. Go shopping, pick out what you want, but before you actually buy; head over to a discounted gift card retailer and purchase a gift card to your retailer of choice.

Having the most expensive outfit on is out of fashion these days. Instead, it’s more fashionable to have the best looking outfit that was purchased at a bargain price. Discounted gift card retailers are growing in popularity because of this change. These companies offer people a way to save money without sales, coupons or any other incentive from the retailer itself. Why wouldn’t you use them?

Let’s say you need a new pair of shoes and plan on going to Footlocker to get them. Unfortunately, Footlocker isn’t having any sales or discounts on the pair you want. Not to worry, you can still save 10-30% by purchasing a discounted gift card before you shop.

The power of discounted gift cards grows exponentially when you couple them with sales and merchant coupons.

$100.00 gift card purchased for $85.00 + a 10% merchant coupon + a 20% merchant sale = 45% savings off retail!!!!

In this example, you would be getting $100.00 for the price of $55.00. Using discounted gift cards in this manner almost becomes like purchasing discounted money. Who wouldn’t take $100.00 for $55.00? Smart shoppers are already aware of the effectiveness; if you’re not already using discounted gift cards this way, it’s time to get on board.

GiftCardRescue.com is the premiere website for buying discounted gift cards and selling your unwanted gift cards for cash. Now, we’ve added even more merchants to our list! Our new merchants include:

• Harbor Freight and Tool
• Tiffany’s
• Subway
• Advance Auto Parts
• Auto Zone

With the popularity of gift cards continuing to grow, so does our merchant list. We now offer the ability to sell gift cards from over 400 merchants! Popular gift cards fly off the site, so if you’re interested in buying discounted gift cards be sure to add them to your wish list. Every time a gift card from your wish list is added to the website you will be notified via email for fist pickings.

Why sell gift cards?

Americans leave over 6 billion dollars a year in unused gift cards sitting in their sock drawers. Don’t be a statistic! Put those unwanted gift cards to good use by redeeming them for cash. In this rough economy it’s important to capitalize on every opportunity for extra income. Selling gift cards that are sitting around collecting dust is great way to get some bills paid.

Save Money on Everyday Purchases with Discounted Gift Cards

Discounted gift cards + coupons = BIG SAVINGS

A great way to stretch every penny is to use discounted gift cards and store coupons. Purchasing discounted gift cards before you shop is basically like purchasing discounted money. You’re getting $50, for the price of 40! Add that to any sales or coupons from the merchant and your practically paying yourself to shop.

Do you love leaving a 17% tip when you go out to eat? Purchase a discounted McCormick and Schmitt gift card at 17% off and your tip becomes free!

There are plenty of ways to beat the heat of the current economic environment; Gift Card Rescue makes it safe, easy, and convenient. Check out how these people saved thousands of dollars on every day purchases using discounted gift cards from GiftCardRescue.com

Many people are starting to look for ways to curb their spending and save more money without drastically impacting their lifestyle. Using discount gift cards is a great way to do this. Gift cards gained some additional respect in March, when the Federal Reserve passed new laws to protect consumer spending using them. With these new protections, gift cards can be a good option for those looking to stretch their budgets.

1. Cash in coins and redeem in gift cards. Some coin redemption machines, like those at grocery stores or banks, let you exchange your coins for gift cards. Some even offer a bonus for choosing a gift card instead of a cash voucher. Once you get the gift card, make sure to stick to the value on the card when spending and keep your cash away.
2. Stick to your budget. Gift Cards can be a way to dedicate spending categories, similar to the “envelope” method of budgeting. For example, buy gift cards in the amount on your weekly grocery budget. The money will be gone from your bank account, eliminating the temptation to spend it on something else and possibly rely on credit cards at the checkout. You will stick to your budget and avoid adding debt. Most stores allow shoppers to “reload” gift cards anyway.
3. Reach a goal. Some people purchase gift cards for themselves to keep their spending focus on track. For instance, if you want to lose weight, you might purchase gift cards to restaurants where you can get healthy lunches instead of hitting the fast food place. Again, because you have already allocated your spending, you are most likely to stick with your plans.
4. Redeem rewards points for gifts. If you find yourself in some debt, you might have some rewards ‘points’. Converting these points into gift cards to give someone or to spend on yourself can keep you from reaching into your bank account. Log into your credit card rewards website to find out if you can convert rewards into cash or gift cards. Some credit card companies will double the value of your rewards at specific retailers.
5. Save for a cause. If you know you want to complete a home improvement project in two months, you can estimate how much you would need to save every week. But if it is difficult for you to stick to your goal, instead buy gift cards to the home improvement store in the amount of the weekly savings. Again, you will avoid spending your money elsewhere – and at the end of the allocated time, will have enough funds on gift cards to complete your project without debt.