My health ins. co. sent me a gift card

[Marthe48]

Highmark/BlueCrossBlueShield They let you pick from a list of businesses. I usually sign up for a restaurant and treat one of my friends, but not now. I usually get one after my annual well check. I got an application in November, and signed up for Lowes, thinking I could get a new trash bin or a mailbox, but when I checked online, things I want are either not available for curbside pickup or shipping, so that $50 gift card is sitting on the buffet.

I got another application for a $50 gift card in Jan., evidently just for surviving 2020 I picked Amazon this time. I got the gift card today.

I've spent quite a bit of the day trying to get an appt. for a Covid-19 vaccine, with no luck, and feel frustrated, thought shopping might be a treat

What should I do? Should I be practical? Should I splurge? Pass it along to someone who could use it? What would you do if you had $50 to spend?

[happybird]

1. Splurge!

You survived 2020 and that is absolutely worth celebrating. Treat yourself to something fun!

[ret5hd]

2. I believe gift cards do not expire...save it for a future need. (nt)

[True Blue American]

4. Gift cards do expire

Check your card. I lost $40.

[ret5hd]

6. Just checked here:

https://www.lowes.com/l/gift-cards.html

No. Lowe's Gift Cards that have a balance will never expire and are never subject to additional fees.  However, gift cards that remain at a $0 balance for 90 days will be deactivated for security purposes and can’t be reloaded or reused.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GNG9PXYZUMQT72QK

Amazon.com Balance Expiration.
The portion of your Amazon.com Balance made up of Gift Cards issued after October 1, 2005 does not expire and may be applied to your Amazon.com account and applied to eligible purchases despite any stated expiration date. Expiration dates also do not apply for the portion of your Amazon.com Balance made up of any Gift Cards issued prior to October 1, 2005 in CA, CT, LA, ME, MD, MA, MT, NH, ND, OK, RI, VT, WA, or in any other jurisdiction solely to the extent prohibited or limited by law. All other Gift Cards issued prior to October 1, 2005 and the portion of your Amazon.com Balance made up of those Gift Cards expire in accordance with their stated terms.

[Marthe48]

8. Thanks!

I better get on it

[Marthe48]

7. The cards I have say they don't expire

But the way they are burning a hole in my pocket, no worries

[True Blue American]

9. Good news!:)

[True Blue American]

3. Anthem is getting generous

$230 a year for OTC drugs. Last week I received a notice of a free Life Alert, they pay the fee. Called, 2 days later I had one. Keeping people safe in their own homes.

Enjoy your credit!

[Marthe48]

5. Highmark also sent me a care package in December

There was a thermometer, an electric toothbrush, a pulse/oximeter, lotion, chapstick, a complete first aid kit, and other items. I thought it was pretty nice. I'm giving the first aid kit to my granddaughter, giving the oximeter to my daughter, because I have one. I have a thermometer, too. I was going to try out the electric toothbrush, but I lost the instructions. I just found them last week, so I am thinking about trying that. lol

That's a nice amount for OTC.

[True Blue American]

10. Good news!

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

11. How about a game?

A dart board with donny's, Mitchy's, and other vile pukes faces on the board.

[Marthe48]

14. I cut a tiny picture of impeached traitor

from a catalog and thumbtacked it right above the litterbox. I notice it once in awhile when I clean the box

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

17. Hahaha.

When I got the IRS letter I put it in the bag with the nightly scooped cat litter and threw it in the garbage. I threw it on the floor for the day and made sure I walked on it until I did nightly scoop. I hadn't even opened it.

[Ohiogal]

12. All my heath insurer ever sends me are bills.

[Skittles]

13. I guess I don't understand why health ins co's are giving gift cards

[Marthe48]

15. I don't either

I'd rather see rates more affordable for others. When I get the cards, I try to be sure I share the bounty

[Marthe48]

16. ah well, enjoyment is ephemeral

I used the Lowes gift card and got a suet cage, glass hummingbird feeder and a birdbath. I went to pick them up, not far from home. On the way home, a malfunction light came on in my 2008 Prius. From what I read, probably isn't good

[Fla Dem]

18. For heaven's sake girl, spend it.

Even if it’s simply groceries, vitamins, supplements, shampoo, toothpaste, body cream. Get it all at Amazon. $50 bucks’ not going to go far. Might as well use it for things you regularly buy.