I received the following email from a reader, Mitch, and thought it would be a nice reminder to pass on:
I was plunging through the depths of my desk and file cabinet today, looking for some misplaced work documents. I took this as a chance to winnow things down a bit. For instance, I had note pads in filed in there that only had three pages used; so I pulled those pages, stapled them together, and then put the pad where I could use it again later. In all, I pulled eight pads out of my files! I even found some extra Scotch tape and Post-It notes in the back of a drawer, so I’m all stocked up on office supplies for awhile.
At the bottom of a drawer (that had not seen the light of day for about 3-4 years), I found two old gift cards. One for Barnes & Noble and one for Office Depot. I tossed them into the garbage pile and moved on to continue my search/cleaning.
As I was about to throw everything away, I decided, “What the heck, I’ll check those cards to see if there’s a few bucks left on them.” So, I flipped ‘em over and called the number on the back, fully expecting them to be bone-dry, and got a very pleasant surprise: The Barnes & Noble card has $20 USD on it! Yee-Haw! A quick call to Office Depot revealed that card had expired, but what the heck: I’ve got $20 USD that I didn’t know I had.
Not a bad pay-off for a 1-minute phone call.
I don’t know how many times a few minutes of my time has saved me heartache, time, or money. This seemed like a good reminder to pass on. Calling about a card balance, calling to compare auto insurance premiums, or even calling your cable company to ask for a discount seems to give solid returns on time investments.
Have you ever saved or made money by just taking a little time to do something? Can you think of any other examples that any of us could use?
I put all gift cards directly into my purse the second I receive them so I make sure I use them.
My way to ‘find money’ with a phone call is my constant calls to my health insurance company because they constantly reject charges. I then argue with them and then it is covered. Drives me insane.
Make sure to check all pants pockets and purses before donating them to Goodwill or sending clothes to the dry cleaners.
I just found $80 in an old wallet. Probably took cash out of the ATM for one of our monthly 2-hr. drive to see the parents and didn’t need to spend it! These things don’t happen often, but when they do — YAHOO!!!
I saved $25 a month a couple months back by calling the cable company. The rep put the discounts on and told me to call back in 6 months when the discounts expire to see what offers were happening at that time. Seems like it’s worth a phone call to me.
Everyday Tips, I put them in my wallet too. I still have a bunch from Christmas I need to use…
I hate insurance companies.
Holly, good point! I found $20 in the pockets of my old jacket…it is indeed a Woot moment.
MikeS, thanks for reminding me! Our discounts just expired and I need to see if they’re running any offers right now.
I had a golden find a few years ago. I found a gift card that I had basically forgotten about – it was one that I had been given 3 years prior to that. I got it from a very nice group of coworkers at the time for moving out of my department to take a position in another department.
Anyway, I set the card aside and didn’t even think about how much was on it. I was just appreciative.
So, fast forward 3 years later, and I see this gift card. I then decided that I should call to check the balance, in case it’s still worth something. I had a specific purpose in mind: a camera.
To my delight, the card was worth $100!
It was very worth it to make that call.
If Mitch is in California, his gift card is still valid. They can’t expire here. Great tip!
I only have a few gift cards with a dollar left on each. For some odd reason, once they get that low I take them out of my wallet… I’m not exactly sure why!
Go figure
I recently called about comparing rates on my home and auto insurance and found that I’ll be able to get a policy about $100 less for my home, and the same rate for my cars but with much better coverage.
Squirrelers, $100?! Woot!!! Your coworkers are a lot nicer than my coworkers…
The Saved Quarter, I didn’t know that CA thing…sadly, Mitch is one of my friends here in Houston (sad that he’s in TX and his card is expired…not sad that he’s my friend…).
Money Reasons, repeat after me, “$1 is still money”, lol.
I’ll give you my address and you can send them to me, hahahaha.
Rob, I love that feeling when I start saving on a regular monthly expenses! I feel richer immediately…congrats on making the call!
After finding fifty dollars in an old jacket pocket, I can definitely agree with this excellent tip!
Airmid, congrats on finding “lost” money! I love that when it happens!
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