If you’re running out of time for shopping this year and you can’t even seem to find a bad gift, no strange objet d’art like a fish head clock or even a fish head tie, then you will probably end up purchasing a share of the $80 billion worth of gift cards being sold this season.

But know that about 10% of those gift cards’ values are never redeemed and are kept in the pockets of the retailers. Some recipients just aren’t the type to go shopping unless they really need something and others might think that not using the card saves money for the giver.

If you give a card this season, be sure you choose one that the recipient will use. Encourage the recipient to spend the full value of the card and to do it soon, as many cards now carry expiration dates.

Do them a favor by only choosing cards that have safeguards against scams. Don’t buy cards displayed on a rack where scammers could take down the numbers from the card or the envelope and spend the card’s value before your loved one has a chance to.

If all of that seems far too complicated and you are sill shy a gift – consider regifting the fruit cake Grandma sent last year.

Happy Holidays!

Every money site seems to have its golden rules for becoming rich. The trouble is, most of the rules require you to have a bundle of money in the first place! Rich is a relative term, after all, and a few thousand dollars is pin money to some, a fortune to others.

CNN Money has 25 Rules to Grow Rich By and my criticism applies to most of them. But seven of them make a lot of sense, no matter how much you’re starting with:

1. For return on investment, the best home renovation is to upgrade an old bathroom. Kitchens come in second.

5. Never hire a roofer, driveway paver or chimney sweep who is going door to door.

17. The best credit card is a no-fee rewards card that you pay in full every month. But if you carry a balance, high-interest rates will wipe out the benefits.

19. Anyone who calls or e-mails you asking for your Social Security number or information about your bank or credit card account is a scam artist.

20. The best way to save money on a car is to buy a late-model used car and drive it until it’s junk. A car loses 30% of its value in the first year. (A much debated one, this – the problem is that there is something so enjoyable about that new car smell!)

22. Resist the urge to buy the latest computer or other gadget as soon as it comes out. Wait three months and the price will be lower.

25. When you shop for electronics, don’t pay for an extended warranty. One exception: It’s a laptop and the warranty is from the manufacturer.

Of course, it would be nice to be able to go for them all…

If you go on a yearly vacation, say to a warm location during the winter months, then you may want to consider a timeshare.

Buying into a timeshare can save you money over the long haul but it’s a large investment to begin with. If saving money is not the most important item on your vacation list, then you may consider how much more you will enjoy your vacation in a timeshare than in a hotel room.

Over at ConsumerAffairs.com, there is a good article that lists nine important things to know when considering a timeshare.

Timeshare Tips for Travelers

Ford has announced that its small car, the Focus, will be revised and upgraded for 2008. Designed initially for Europe, the model has not been completely re-designed for America before and the idea is that, by offering more features for less money, sales will take off again after sliding recently.

The small car segment of the US market has not been a money earner for manufacturers in the past but the hope is that increasing gas prices will re-vitalize sales of cars like the Focus. Ford have not been doing well recently and are looking for ways to improve their position.

Having had experience of the Focus, I must admit to a wry smile and the thought that any improvement to it would be a step in the right direction. Just do a search for problems with it and see what you come up with…