Gift Card Exchange Day Scheduled for Dec. 26

Gift cards are the most frequently requested gift during the holiday season, yet not all cards are as highly prized as the giver might hope. In fact, an estimated $60 billion worth of gift cards go unredeemed each year.

Rather than toss Aunt Edna's thoughtful present into a dresser drawer, a recipient can bring it out into the fresh air forGift Card Exchange Day. Scheduled for Dec. 26, this one-day online event (developed by the creators of Gift Card Granny) will help consumers exchange their unwanted gift card for cash, or for an Amazon gift card. The date was selected because cardholders typically receive the best rates from resellers who want to encourage sales and restock depleted inventories.

"We also created the holiday as an annual reminder for cardholders," said event founder Luke Knowles. "They're less likely to forget unwanted cards if they have an opportunity to exchange them for cash."

Here's how it works: The day after Christmas consumers can visit GiftCardExchangeDay.com; enter the card value and the merchant's name; click on "Get Offers" and instantly receive bids from companies interested in purchasing the card.

Once the cash arrives, shoppers can either use it to offset their holiday spending or purchase something they really want. 

136 Discounts for Seniors

With every new wrinkle-reducing cream and hair-restoring foam that hits the market, we are reminded how much money Americans blow fighting the dreaded aging process. Thankfully, there are also plenty of financial perks that come with getting older - if you know where to look. For the frugal shopper, our "golden years" offer a wealth of discounts on everything from groceries and clothing to travel and, of course, restaurants. At Gift Card Granny we've rounded up 136 of the best deals aimed exclusively at the senior set:

"136 Discounts Just for Seniors" - http://www.giftcardgranny.com/blog/senior-discounts/

The list includes:

• Over 50 restaurant discounts to popular chains including Applebees, IHOP & Dunkin Donuts
• Travel discounts from Amtrak, American Airlines, Budget Rental Cars and many others
• Discounts on clothes from merchants including Banana Republic, Dress Barn and Kohls
• Grocery discounts from Food Lion, Kroger, Publix and more

Check out the full list here, and if you're not old enough to reap the benefits, respect your elders and pass this link along! 

List of 66 Teacher Discounts

Teacher discounts don't often receive the same attention as those specifically for students, but educators need not frown -- there are plenty to be had.

Along with classroom supplies and other learned goodies like books, numerous teacher discounts are offered nationwide, ranging from laptops and Photoshop to museum entry and cell phone plans. Gift Card Granny has compiled a list of 66 top-notch discounts spanning nine categories, both online and off. A sampling:

• The Container Store: The organizational aficionados provide a 15 percent discount on all items through the Organized Teacher Program. Register online for a free discount card to use for in-store and online purchases. If you visit a store, be sure to have your school ID.
• Borders: Register for the Classroom Discount Card, a brand-spanking-new program that entitles librarians and teachers 25-percent off most purchases. The discount is for those who teach preschool to high school and available in-store only.
• The Limited: Show a school ID or valid pay stub when you shop at any The Limited location and snag 15-percent off your entire order. The offer is good for all items on the racks, walls or tables. In other words, everything.
• Bose: The Bose offer is prime, particularly for those in need of sonic stimulation. Variable discounts are available on all music systems and accessories. Call the Customer Focused Development Team at 1-800-353-4027 for pricing and to place an order.
• Cell Phone Companies (Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile): This discount is a tad tricky to redeem but can save loads on a personal cell phone bill, sometimes up to 20 percent a month. Visit your providers business or discount portal and input your .edu e-mail address to check if your institution is registered. Example: Search "Verizon business discount" in an engine and click on the first result to check your discount or register.
• National Park Service: Show a valid school ID at a slew of National Park Service visitor centers across the nation and receive 15-percent off any purchase. The discount doesn't apply to park entry or camping fees.
• John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art: Present a valid school ID at the box office to snag a discounted day pass at the estate-turned-gallery in Sarasota, Fla. The museum, named for John Ringling of Ringling Brothers circus fame, is located at 5401 Bay Shore Road.

The Gift Card Granny list provides information where a deal can be redeemed, how to register for certain reward programs and, of course, the extent of a discount. Rules and conditions change from store to store, yet nearly all of the 66 deals are available year-round for teachers of every brand, including elementary school, high school, university and home school. Download "The Complete List of 66 Teacher Discounts" to sooth these oft-neglected educators with something more rewarding than the routine "apple for teacher."