‘National Use Your Gift Card Day’ encourages people cash in on unused balances

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Saturday is National Use Your Gift Card Day! 

Believe it or not, 43% of adults have at least one unused gift! 

The average unused balance is $244 per person. 

National Use Your Gift Card Day founder Tracy Tilson says at staggering $23 billion in gift cards remains unspent. 

“Billions of… billions are left on the table. It’s important for everyone to go and gather your gift cards just for that very reason. I mean, here you’ve got in your pocket or your purse, literally cash. So go gather them. And the other thing is, if you can’t use them, go donate it,” Tilson said. 

Tilson has a few more tips.

• Treat gift cards like cash. Look at it as real money
• Designate a place to put your cards so you can find them
• Check January sales and promotions, it’s the best time of year for discounts
• Make a plan to use them, decide where and what you will buy