In my cleaning this week, I came across 2 bags with an item in each (purchased in February). Now it turns out that I don't need these items, after all. One product was from Michaels and the other from Target. I thought for sure that both items would be non-returnable at this point, as they were purchased 2 months ago. Well, I was wrong (this was a good time to be wrong). Per each store's websites, Michael's allows 180 days for unopened products and Target allows 90 days (with a few exceptions named on their website). Woo hoo! The total amount that I will be getting back is only about $5, but goodness -- $5 is $5. Both stores are within a block of the mall, and I have 2 birthday freebies to redeem there this coming week, so no substantial amount of gas will be used to return these products and retrieve my $5. In fact, if I want to use this outing to get my steps in, I could walk to both Target and Michael's from the mall and not expend any gas on my returns.
Before visiting each store's website, I had assumed that returns would have only a 30-day window. So glad that I checked!
In another "small-change" area, I was also cleaning out my desk drawer and came across some gift cards that I knew had partial balances left on them. I called the phone number on the card backs to get the remaining balances, and marked each card's value with a Sharpie. Four of the gift cards can be used at one restaurant chain. When combined, there's enough in the balances to pay for a nice family lunch at the end of the month, in honor of the 2 birthday people in our family. In the past, I've tended to forget that gift cards are real money. Even if the balance is very low, the money is very real. I've got my various gift cards in a stack and am making thoughtful choices in how to spend each.
In addition to plastic gift cards, I also have some egift cards. Again, I am making careful choices in how to spend each. I think it's so easy to forget about these gift cards, as there is nothing tangible as a reminder.
Anyway, I am reminding myself that all of these little bits add up.
