$224 worth of Old Navy Gift Cards for $161.60

Lately I usually buy most of my gift cards through Plastic Jungle or Cardpool where you can purchase gift cards at a discount (all gift cards are guarranteed).  I usually got through topcashback.com  and earn and extra 2.5%-4% on my purchase just because I got through their site.  (Cashback sites are a great way to earn extra money on online orders.)

For example a few months ago I bought some JC Penney gift cards for 30% off the retail price.  My husband just bought some things on sale in the store and he got an AWESOME deal.  I also bought a few things on sale online and used the gift card-- during this online sale I went through a cashback site to save even more.  :)

Well, Old Navy cards are hard to get on these sites because of their popularity so when I saw the recent Coinstar deal to get a $10 extra when you exchange money for a $40 gift card I went for it.  (You exchange coins for gift cards--some machine allow you to do bills, too.) I ended up buying $160 dollars worth of Old Navy cards and got $40 worth of free gift cards.  There is $200 worth of gift cards for $160 but WAIT . . . . I happened to see that when you buy gift cards at Old Navy this week you get 10-15% off.  (10%--everyone, 15%--Old Navy Credit Card holders) 

So I went to Old Navy and bought $224 worth of gift cards with my $200 coinstar gift cards (they are paper receipts and I would prefer real gift cards anyway).  I ended up having to pay $1.60 in addition to my coinstar gift cards.  Now I just need to wait for sales and coupons and I will get another AWESOME DEAL!!!

Here are a few other cashback sites I use:

mrrebates.com

ebates.com

bigcrumbs.com

The 12 Days Left Teaching Gift

Today while I was driving I started singing "The 12 Days of Christmas" and an idea popped in my head.  A fun gift basket for my kids' teachers called "The 12 Days Left of Teaching".  I thought of items I already had in my couponing stockpile and went to work putting it together.  First I made a card with all the 12 Days (using my items--you could change it up with what you have)--here my 12 days:

12 Eraser Pencils

11 Headache Tablets

10 Thank You Notes

9 Candy Canes

8 Packets of Coffee

7 Pieces of Chocolate

6 Sticks of Gum

5 Doodle Pads

4 Candles of Joy

3 Santa Tizers

2 Calorie Mints

1 Target Gift Card

 

I put each item in a celaphone bag, tied with some red and white baker's twine. Then I put a tag on each item. My tags said the following:

12 Eraser Pencils
For the students to correct their mistakes due to holiday gaze.

11 Headache Tablets
To help you get rid of those headaches due to the students ready for vacation.

10 Thank You Notes
So you can write notes for all the “lovely” holiday mugs you receive.

9 Candy Canes
Just because it s the holidays.

8 Packets of Coffee
To help you stay awake during the last few days of school.

7 Pieces of Chocolate
You always need chocolate.

6 Sticks of Gum
For your chewing pleasure.

5 Doodle Pads
To help you keep track of all the last minute things you need to do.

4 Candles of Joy
To help you relax and enjoy your day.

3 Santa Tizers
To fight off all those germs and stay well during the holidays.

2 Calorie Mints
To help you always have fresh breath and be prepared for the mistletoe.

1 Target Gift Card
So you can go and buy a little something for yourself.

 

Here is gift basket once I finished.

 

 

Tomorrow my kids will take the baskets to their teachers even though I am one day late.  I hope they enjoy their goodies.