If you have young adults in your family who are just learning how to budget, here is an idea that might be appreciated for a lifetime. Give gift cards to their favourite coffee shop, gas station or fast food place, and add a note saying, “If you reload this card every payday, it can help you stay on track to achieve your financial goals.”  For some young adults, this will be an easy introduction to succeeding with a spending plan.

Remember that as of November 1 of this year, gift cards will not expire. Under the Gift Card Regulation, part of Alberta’s Fair Trading Act, there are no expiry dates allowed on gift cards or gift certificates, and no inactivity fees or dormancy fees. It was estimated that up to $180 million each year was lost through non-redemption or expiry of the cards, so this is good news for consumers. Check out www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca for more information. Do remember, though, that the regulation cannot help if a merchant goes out of business, so the cards should be used promptly.