Problem: You received a gift card for the holidays but don't ever shop at that store.

Solution: Trade it in. At Web sites such as GiftCardRescue.com , plasticjungle.com or MonsterGiftCard.com , you can swap your unwanted card for a different one or trade it in for cash. But depending on the service you use and the popularity of the card, you may receive only a portion of the card's value back. Typically a user must first create a free account and provide details of the card, such as merchant name, value and expiration date. Requirements and procedures vary by Web site. At GiftCardRescue.com , for instance, card values must be between $25 and $200. Once you enter the details of your gift card, the site will tell you the card's "redemption value," or how much it is willing to pay for the card; GiftCardRescue.com typically pays between 60% and 80% of the card's value. You can then choose to receive cash via PayPal or select a new gift card from the site. Finally, you mail your gift card to GiftCardRescue.com . You should get your new gift card or the cash within 48 hours after the site receives your card.

Caveat: Watch out for additional fees for commission and shipping. PlasticJungle.com deducts a 10% commission from your payments when you sell or trade your card. Pay close attention to expiration dates and dormancy fees for not using the card within a certain period.