Perhaps gift cards aren't the best option as presents since Americans are leaving billions of dollars on their balances..
A report from financial services website Credit Summit found that 90 percent of Americans say they enjoy receiving gift cards but a staggering $21 billion locked inside them have gone unspent. So if people love them so much, why aren't they spending?
The survey found that, "76 percent have intentionally chosen not to spend a gift card. Some of the reasons cited were to save it for a special occasion (36 percent), waiting until they need something specific from the retailer (23 percent), because it's from a place where they don't normally shop (11 percent), redeeming them is a hassle (4 percent) or just forget them (2 percent)."
Despite the still mounting unused balances, 72 percent of Americans said they will get them as gifts this year as well.
Meanwhile, considering the state of the economy and rising costs, it could be in many Americans' best interest to take advantage of those funds — at least at some point.
"While it makes sense to not blow them on items you don't need, keep them in a safe place where they're easily accessible. This way, when you need to buy something specific, it's easy to keep track of the cards you have and the balance that remains on them," according to Credit Summit.
The dreaded Netflix crackdown on profile sharing translated into a major boost in subscribers while the promised rate cuts seem to be a far off fantasy.
After the 2021 boom, IPO activity slowed down significantly, in part due to monetary policy – but things are getting moving again with tech-friendly companies like Iboutta and Rubrik making a public debut.
With an increasing demand for mental health services, one person wanted to change the therapy game. In 2017, CEO Alex Katz founded Two Chairs, a company that uses technology to match patients with the right therapist.
Not only is April Financial Literacy Month, it’s also the kickoff of the spring homebuying season. So now is the time to make sure you have a financial plan in place – and why it might not be wise for that to include buying your first home.
While the U.S. may slowly be on the path to lowering inflation (and therefore interest rates), Europe has thoroughly trounced America, putting it on the path to lower rates by this summer.
April's release of the monthly Housing Starts and Building Permits reports by the Census Bureau provides crucial insights into the construction activity in the housing market. These reports are an economic indicator, shedding light on the current state of the housing market and its broader economic impact.
Caitlin Clark is heading to the Indiana Fever, the number one draft pick and the highest-scoring college basketball player of all time. And while she may not be getting millions from the WNBA, there's a few ways she'll net compensation for her generational talents.
