How are you celebrating Mom this weekend?  Check out these affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas to give Mom something special that won’t break the bank this Mother’s Day.  All you need is to think of the things Mom would like and pay with discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle and you’ll get a bargain price.

For the Elegant or Classy Mom

Give Mom the gift a beautiful 36″ Freshwater Pearl Necklace.  Pearls look good with just about every outfit.  Through Thursday 5/9, JC Penney has lowered the price of this $200 strand of pearls to only $59!  When you use Macy’s discount gift cards to buy Mom this lovely necklace you’ll pay only $53.40!  Split the cost with one sibling and for under $27 each you’ll give Mom a strand of pearls she can wear while cooking like Julia Child did, while dressing up for a special event, or to accessorize her daytime outfit.

For the Coffee and Tea Loving Mom

Go in with your siblings or Dad to get Mom her own Single-Serve Keurig!  Perfect for the kitchen or office, Mom can brew her own cup of her favorite flavor of coffee or tea.  For only $47 each if split 3-ways and $35 each if split 4-ways you can get Mom her own single cup coffee and tea maker.  Get the lowest price by ordering this Keurig from Macy.com during it’s 3-Day Sale (ends Thursday 5/9) and using Macy’s discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle to pay (includes free shipping).

Like the idea of getting Mom something she can use to cook or bake? 

Check out the full selections of Macy’s Home Clearance items.  Prices are marked down so low that with Macy’s discount gift cards you can get 59%-29% off!

Other Mother’s Day Discount Gift Card Brands

Use JC Penney discount gift cards to buy Mom a Mother’s Day gift for less.  Or give Mom the gift of a JC Penney discount gift card so she can pick out something on her own.  Either way, she’ll receive a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift and you’ll save money.

Nothing makes moving away to college feel more like home than a nice set of sheets.  Set your college student up with a sound night’s sleep with unbelievable bedding prices uncovered with discount Macy’s gift cards.

Under $57 Zahara 8 Piece Twin Comforter Set

*How to Get It*

Add the Zahara set (includes comforter, bedskirt, sham, 3 piece sheet set, and 2 decorative pillows) to your cart

Reg. $140.00, Sale $69.99

Use Macy’s coupon code ‘KS4GRL’ to save 10%

Pay with discount Macy’s gift cards to save an additional 10%

FINAL PRICE – $56.70!

Under $65 Raven Citrus Twin (or Twin XL) Comforter Set

*How to Get It*

Twin Comforter Set (includes comforter, bedskirt, sham, 3 piece sheet set, and 2 decorative pillows)

Twin – Reg. $140.00, Sale $69.99

Twin XL – Reg. $160.00, Sale $79.99

Minus 10% from Macy’s discount gift cards

Minus 10% with Macy’s coupon code ‘KS4GRL’

TWIN FINAL PRICE – $56.70!

TWIN XL FINAL PRICE – $64.80!

Under $95 Teen Vogue Poppy Art Comforter + Sheet Set

*How to Get It*

Teen Vogue Bedding, Poppy Art Floral Twin Comforter Set (includes standard sham) – Reg. $160, Sale $79.99

Teen Vogue Bedding, Poppy Art Floral Twin Sheet Set (includes flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillow case) – Reg. $60.00, Sale $39.99

Subtotal – $119.98

Minus $15 with coupon code ‘XJW562A992′, equals $104.98

Minus 10% savings from discount Macy’s gift cards

FINAL PRICE – $94.48!

Lots of College Bedding Options

Mix and match your favorite bedding choices any way you’d like.  Just remember to pay with discount Macy’s gift cards to save 10% more.

Active Macy’s Coupon Codes

Get an additional 10% off your entire purchase with coupon code ‘KS4GRL’

Or, take $10 off a purchase of $75 AND get free shipping when $99 or more is spent with coupon code ‘XJW562A992′

When do these Macy’s college bedding sale prices end?

From what I can tell, these Macy’s sale prices are good through Tuesday, August 14.  That gives you less than one week to get in on this deal.

Remember, Macy’s eCODES (a.k.a. discount electronic Macy’s gift cards) arrive in your account in 1-2 business days.

Plastic Jungle has you covered to save on your college dorm bedding needs.

Does your state offer a tax free weekend?  If you order discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle, you might be able to save even more on back to school supplies, clothing, and more during sales tax free shopping days.

(To expedite having discount gift cards for tax free shopping, buy electronic discount gift cards which take 2-3 business days to arrive.  If you have more time, ordering physical cards will be just fine as they ship within a week.)

Over 40% of the United States provide a special tax free couple of days, or a tax free weekend, once or twice a year for certain purchases.  Most of these states offer tax free shopping in August.  Participating states include: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

This year, many states have made their tax free weekend even earlier to allow students, parents, and teachers to save on back-to-school supplies in time for the earlier starting school year.

Does my state have a tax free holiday?

Believe it or not, tax free shopping started back in 1999.  Texas was actually the first state to host a tax free weekend to help offset the cost of school supplies.  Since then, several other states have jumped on board.  If you’re not sure if your state is having a tax free holiday, check out this handy 2012 Tax Holidays list put together by the Federation of Tax Administrators.  Another way to be sure your area is having a tax free holiday is by typing “Tax Free Weekend 2012″ and the name of your city and state into your browser’s search bar.  Some cities choose to opt out of sales tax free holidays, so be sure to research before you shop.

How much can I save on tax free purchases?

Depending on the tax rate in your area, you can save 6-10% simply by making qualifying purchases during tax free holidays.  You can increase your savings up to 33% more by paying with discount gift cards.  Stack these savings on top of special tax free weekend sales and your savings will grow even more!

Which stores honor tax free purchases?

Many popular stores, including several Plastic Jungle retailers offer tax free shopping.

For instance, in participating states you can use discount gift cards to save an additional…

10% on clothing and shoes at Macy’s stores!

2% on school supplies, personal computers, and clothing at Walmart and Sam’s Club!

5% on clothing, school supplies, and more at Target!

And many more of your favorite stores.

What items can I purchase tax free?

The category and total value vary by state.  Sales tax may be waived on a variety of items such as school supplies, clothing, footwear, and computers.  Do note, tax free savings are not limited to only one item.  For instance, if your state waives tax on computers $350 or less, you can buy one computer from WalMart and another from Best Buy and get both without having to pay tax.

My friend, Sara, has been wanting to get a new laptop to replace her dying one.  We almost went shopping together to find her new laptop a few weekends ago, but one of our friends suggested she wait until August for our state’s tax free weekend.  Sara is looking forward to getting herself a new laptop tax free in just a few days.

What will you save on during tax free shopping days?

*Frugal Shopping Tip*

If your state does not have plans to have a tax free weekend, consider traveling to a nearby state that does or asking a friend or relative in a tax free state to shop for you.  Neighboring states may waive sales tax on additional categories of items that your state does not provide (i.e. electronics, energy efficient products, etc.).  The drive just might be worth the savings.

Tax free shopping varies by date, state, city, and shopping area.  Be sure to research first to maximize your savings.

You’ve seen back-to-school discounts for those who have had the summer months off, but what about those of us who went to work yesterday or are trying to gather up enough energy to go back to work on Monday after our week-long vacation ends?  Maybe you’ve recently re-entered the workforce after maternity leave or raising children.

For those of us who deserve a discount for keeping on keeping on, Plastic Jungle would like to help you save on back-to-work clothing, shoes and all the things that’ll make your work day (or night) more enjoyable!

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Give your work clothes a boost with a touch of Ann Taylor.

Nothing makes you more confident for that important presentation or meeting than wearing clothes that make you look great.

Spice up your work day with an Ann Taylor modest and classy dress.  Available in navy or mambo purple this wardrobe addition is so versatile it’ll not only work for business meetings but for cocktail parties and upscale weddings, too.  Buy one in each color and only pay $155.25 for both!  That’s only $77.63 for a dress that is normally $138!

To get this price discount just pay with Plastic Jungle Ann Taylor gift cards and use coupon code “AnnBOGO” to get a second item for 50% off when a full-priced item is purchased.

Redeemable at both Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor LOFT stores, use Ann Taylor gift cards to get new suits, blouses, and jewelry to enhance your work day.

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Every great outfit is complete with a great pair of shoes.

Right now, you can get in on deep shoe savings at Macy’s by combining their Summer Stock Up & Clearance prices with discount Macy’s gift cards.  Plus, if you shop online you can save an extra 10% by using coupon code “KS4GRL”.

I found these Steven Madden flats for just $50.61!  (originally $119)

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Work pants don’t have to be boring.  Check out these slacks and ankles pants I found at The Limited!

For a limited time The Limited is offering buy 1 get 1 for 50% off on pants, skirts, and jeans.

To your retail or office job, wear a pair of The Limited’s stylish Cassidy Linen Flare Pants for only $64.69* for two pairs! (far left)

Feel casual and comfortable in The Limited’s Drew Twill Ankle Pants.  Two pairs are just $59.29*.  (middle)

For $89.29* get two pairs of Cassidy Two-Button Flare Pants. (at right)  That’s only $43.15 for a nice pair of work slacks!

*prices reflect final price when paying with The Limited discount gift cards

Mix and match any of The Limited pants, skirts, and jeans any way you want to get in on the BOGO sale.  Just be sure to use The Limited discount gift cards to save an additional 28% on your purchase!

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If your job requires that you wear a uniform, remember you can use discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle to save on jewelry, handbags, and more at many of your favorite stores!

You might also enjoy saving with discount gift card brands like…

   Saks Fifth Avenue [8% off]     |             Target [3% off]            |       New York & Company [13% off]

When do your kids start school?  My niece goes back August 8.  Does anyone else think that is early to go back to school?!

It can be so challenging to come down from the flexibility, relaxation, and carefree lifestyle of a good summer break.  Camping, slumber parties, running through sprinklers.  Summers as a student are much missed for those of us in careers that aren’t like teaching.  [I say this because I am married to a teacher and am somewhat jealous of his 3-month long summer break.]

One way to soften the end of summer vacation is to sweeten the value of a dollar.  With Plastic Jungle discount gift cards, you can stretch $20 into $22.20 or even $10 into $12.  It all depends on where you choose to shop.

Show your son or daughter how to spend your money or their hard-earned summer job money wisely by showing them how to buy and use discount gift cards to get clothes, school supplies, and all things back-to-school.

Save on Books, Learning Toys, and Backpacks

Get $25 for only $21 to spend on textbooks, novels, and e-books at Barnes & Noble.  Use your discount B&N gift cards during Barnes & Noble’s Back to School Sale, to save even more on prices already discounted up to 45%!  Totes, journals, backpacks, foreign language reference books, kids’ desks and chairs, homeschooling books, eTextbooks, starting to read books, calendars, and book lights, shop at B&N for your school supply needs.  Plus, check out B&N’s textbook collection where you can buy or rent new or used textbooks for up to 76% off (combine B&N’s up to 65% savings with discount gift cards).

Save on Clothing at H&M and PacSun

Here’s a frugal shopper’s dream.  Shop at H&M with discount gift cards and you’ll stack up even more savings as you turn $17.76 into $24.95.  Get trendy and comfortable girls and boys clothing at reasonable prices like this adorable girls gray dress with pink belt which would normally cost $24.95.  But… you can get it for only $17.76 when you pay with discount gift cards and use a 20% H&M coupon. [Available when you sign up for their newsletter]

This cute girls dress is less than $18!

At H&M stores and H&M online you can find functional fashion ranging from girls plain or pattered hoodies and leggings to boys striped t-shirts and worker pants in black, khaki, grey, or checks.

Guy’s jeans for under $12!

Bring summer vacation to every school day and save 21% when you shop at PacSun with discount PacSun gift cards.  For only $11.81 (normally $39.50) get your son a pair of Guy’s Bull Head Jeans.

Order discount gift cards now so you can stretch your hard earned money on back to school backpacks, supplies, and clothing!

More Back to School Gift Card Brands

Explore More Back to School Gift Card Brands

You’re busy completing your child’s FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) hoping he or she will qualify for scholarships and Pell Grants so your out-of-pocket college expense is minimal.  Keep college living costs down by sending your student off with discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle.

Have you thought about his or her graduation party?  (May and June are only a few weeks away!)

Instead of party guests guessing what to buy your student, tell them about Plastic Jungle discount gift cards that your student will use.  It’s a win-win.  They spend less and your child is sent of with something practical that they will use.

A great tool for creating a registry for any occasion (graduation, wedding, baby, etc.) is MyRegistry.  This free online tool creates one registry from all online stores and items your student wants to add to their wish list.  You can use MyRegistry to add Plastic Jungle discount gift cards to your child’s graduation party registry.

For Dorm Life

Party guests will want to bring your grad a gift.  While your grad can set up a registry at Bed Bath & Beyond and at other retailers, you can also create a wish list of discount gift cards that your student can use towards a microwave, coffee maker, mini-fridge; hygiene products; clothing; and other basic items that will go a long way on a college student budget.

Consider adding these brands to the list…

For Small Appliances

Yes, your child can pick up a cup of coffee from a local coffee shop daily on the way to class for $2-4 a cup.  Or, for less than a semester’s worth of coffee, your student can use Williams-Sonoma gift cards to get a decent coffee maker that’ll let them make coffee that tastes just as good but costs even less!  Your student can get breakfast on the run with a microwave or toaster from JCPenney or Macy’s.  Encourage guests to buy JCPenney (13% off) or Macy’s (8% off) discount gift cards and they’ll save money and your student will have a strong start to their school day.

For Bedding

Tucking in your son or daughter will be covered in love with Macy’s, Pottery Barn Teen, and JCPenney gift cards.  Find bedding, sheets, comforters, pillows, and quilts that’ll personalize their dorm room and remind them of home.  Send your teen to the “Design Your Own Bed” portion of PB Teen’s website and let them loose to create the place they’ll be laying their head after a long day of class.

For Hygiene Products

Your daughter might not be able to have candles in her on-campus housing, but she would probably appreciate having a nice body wash and lotion to spice up her life.  Give her the ability to choose her favorite scents by sending her off with JCPenney, Bath & Body Works, and Macy’s gift cards.

College Saving Tip:  If you haven’t heard of or completed a FAFSA and your child is a high school senior planning to enroll in college, don’t pass up this opportunity to earn them additional scholarships and grants.  Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov for more details.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5,… 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,… 11, 12…

Do you remember the Sesame Street counting video that debuted in 1977 called “Eleven Twelve”?  Depending on how quickly you read, you might be able to read this article faster than you can listen to this popular counting song.  It’s like having accompanying background music.

Up for the challenge?

If the kiddos are around, press play and let them dance while you get in on practical ways to save this month.

Using discount gift card on top of store sales, coupons, and coupon codes is an increasing trend among households across our country.  Keep reading to see if you’re maximizing your savings by stocking up on the most popular discount gift cards.

Are you saving on home improvement projects?

The most frequent discount gift card purchase on Plastic Jungle is discount Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards.  (No wonder they’re currently out of stock.  Be sure to set an Alert to be notified with more come in stock.)  Buy patio furniture, doors, windows,, lumber, gardening supplies, and more with Home Depot discount gift cards and Lowe’s discount gift cards – both available for 7% less than face value.

Electronics, Movies, Music

Coming in third place in March are Best Buy discount gift cards – available for 5% less than face value.  Best Buy discount gift cards are great for saving on computers, printers, tvs, sound systems, cell phone cases, blu-rays, DVDs, and anything else you can find at Best Buy stores and at Best Buy online.

Save on Groceries, Clothing, and Household Products

In addition to saving on big purchases, Plastic Jungle discount gift cards are also good for saving on weekly trips to our favorite grocery locations.  Use Target  discount gift cards (available for 3% less than face value) and Walmart discount gift cards (also available for 3% less than face value) to save on food, clothing, and home goods for the whole family.

Multipurpose Savings

Good at Kmart, Lands’ End, and Sears, Lands’ End discount gift cards (available for 8% less than face value) have limitless possibilities.  Save on jewelry, children’s clothing, lawn mowers, backpacks, appliances, and more.

Costco discount gift cards are great for purchasing Costco gasoline (which is already discounted!), clothing, books, appliances, cameras, photos, and more for an additional 2% off the already low warehouse prices.  Don’t forget your Costco coupons to increase your savings!

Gas Station Discounts

Score discounts on gasoline, car washes, and snack foods with Shell discount gift cards (available for 2% less than face value).  Although currently out of stock, check out the current inventory of Chevron and Arco discount gift cards for savings on gasoline this month!

Brand Names at Great Prices

Kohl’s discount gift cards (available for 11% less than face value) help you bring home your favorite brands of apparel for men, women, boys, and girls at great prices.  Stack Kohl’s discount gift cards with store sales and store coupons to intensify savings.

Brand name workout clothes, Pink fragrances, shoes, and swimwear are available for 12% less with Victoria’s Secret discount gift cards.

Hit the Mall for Less

Watches, clothing, purses, shoes, wedding or baby shower registries, use Macy’s discount gift cards and JC Penney discount gift cards to shop at your favorite department stores, available for 7% off and 11% off respectively.  You’ll get more and pay less.

Is your music still playing? 

If you haven’t heard of ‘freezer cooking’ before the concept by name only may sound backwards.  In actuality, it might be better understood and ‘cooking then freezing’.

Put simplest, freezer cooking is a method by which you cook meals in bulk and freeze them until you’re ready to eat them.  By freezer cooking, you can save money and time, especially when you stack this concept with Plastic Jungle discount gift cards.

Freezer Cooking: Getting Started

There are a number of freezer cooking cookbooks out there.  If you’ve never tried the freezer cooking method before, I would recommend starting with Once-A-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg.

In Once-A-Month Cooking you’ll learn the basic principles of freezer cooking as you choose which of the five meal plans to prepare.  My favorite entrees are Twelve-Boy Curry [page 24] and Taco Soup [page 30].  Each entree can feed a family of 4 or 5.  Or, if your household is smaller (like mine) you can split the meal and enjoy it over 2-4 dinners and lunches.  I highly recommend getting this book in versions that are published in 2007 or later.  The book is constantly updated to incorporate feedback and recipe improvements from families across the nation.

At Barnes and Noble’s online store you can snag Once-A-Month Cooking for $4.48.  Pay for this purchase with discount Barnes & Noble gift cards and you’ll only pay $4!  (cost may vary at Barnes & Noble stores)
There are currently no Barnes and Noble coupon codes, but if you are a Barnes and Noble Member you can get free shipping.  This book also qualifies for free shipping if with a purchase of $25 or more. 

If you’ve tried freezer cooking before and are looking for new recipes, you might enjoy Make-Ahead Meals Made Healthy: Exceptionally and Nutritious Freezer-Friendly Recipes You Can Prepare in Advance and Enjoy At a Moment’s Notice by Michele Barboa and Fix, Freeze, Feast by Kati Neville and Lindsay Tkacsik.  Both books have great tasting freezer cooking recipes.  My favorites from Make-Ahead Meals Made Healthy are Chicken and Edamame Pot Pie with Double-Crust Whole-Wheat Pie Dough made from scratch [page 67] and Meatless Butternut Squash and Chard Lasagna [page 35] (great vegetarian recipe).  Fix, Freeze, Feast is great for those who shop at warehouses like Costco and Sam’s as recipes incorporate bulk packages of meats.

Make Ahead Meals Made Healthy just went to print in 2011 and Barnes and Noble sells this new publication in paperback for a reasonable $12.99 and as a NOOK eBook for $10.99.  With discount Barnes & Noble gift cards you can take it home for only $11.56 – $9.78!  Barnes and Noble sells Fix, Freeze, Feast for $11.15 in paperback or $10.16 for the NOOK book.  Use Barnes & Noble discount gift cards to get this book for $9.92 – $10.03.

You can snag all three of these freezer cooking cookbooks for under $30 with discount Barnes & Noble gift cards.

In all, a rotation of freezer cooking will provide enough entrees to feed most families for 2 weeks to 4 months.  Costs vary by recipes/book, but on average my family spends $300 – $400 to buy food for a rotation of 14 entrees which will feed my family for several months.

You might be thinking, “Aren’t you worried about freezer burn?”  Some people think that freezing meals can dilute the flavor of food and even make it unsafe to eat.  This is not true as long as you know how to properly cool and store the food.  Michele Borboa does a great job nipping this myth in Make-Ahead Meals Made Healthy.

How to buy these books on Amazon for less.  Yes, you don’t often see Amazon coupon codes or Amazon discounts, but if you’re holding on to an unused gift card, you can sell your gift card to Plastic Jungle and exchange it for an Amazon.com electronic gift card which you can use to purchase these freezer cooking cookbooks.

Read more about my experience with freezer cooking in my article “Streamlining the Food Budget” on Mama Moderne.

Does your brain naturally think to check Plastic Jungle before making a purchase? Turning your brain on Plastic Jungle autopilot will soon require little thought and will save you literally hundreds of dollars this year.

Don’t be like my friend Emily.

Usually on a Friday night, Emily calls me and says, “Hey I have a baby shower (or wedding) tomorrow.  What’s the best way to get discounts on the gifts?”  My reply?  “Call me last week.”

If you get an invite to a wedding or other special event in the mail, and you decide you are definitely buying a gift for the occasion…

1.  Check on the invite or event website to see where your friend is registered.

2.  Go to Plastic Jungle and order a gift card for the value you (or a group) intend to spend at one of the registered stores.

Why should you plan at least a week in advance?  To pay up to 35% less, Plastic Jungle electronic gift cards (eCODES) take 1-2 business days to arrive and physical gift cards take a week to ship.

Ask before you buy.

Without fail, once a week I get a message from a friend asking, “How do I save at such and such store?”  I’m happy to provide suggestions, but often my answer starts with “Plastic Jungle?”

Earlier this week, my friend Phil stopped to think before he made a Fandango purchase…

Teach yourself to ask, “Plastic Jungle?” before making any purchase, be it online or in-store.  Maybe you should put a post-it next to your computer screen that says, “Did you check Plastic Jungle?”  Another great way to remind yourself to check Plastic Jungle before making a purchase is to set up Alerts for stores you frequently or likely shop.

The early bird catches the worm.

Did you ever stop to think about what this saying means?  The early bird gets the worm because he knew he wanted to eat and planned ahead on how to get food.  In the same way, if you plan ahead on what you intend to buy you can order discount gift cards and catch dollars of savings.  For, “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” at least in terms of increasing your savings!

According to Real Simple magazine, February is the time to find the best deals on last year’s furniture. 

While many retailers are unveiling new furniture styles and trends this spring, you can find last year’s styles at reduced prices – up to 60% off! (And that’s before any using Plastic Jungle discount gift cards to decrease the price even more!)

If you’re going to buy something that is on sale, don’t let the furniture price discounts stop there.  Stack Plastic Jungle discount gift cards on furniture sales to increase your savings.

Anthropologie and Macy’s both carry a broad collection of furniture including bed frames, living room sets, chairs, and accessories.  Buy discount Anthropologie gift cards or discount Macy’s gift cards to purchase furniture for your home for less.

Have you been watching and waiting patiently for a chair, couch, bookshelves or end table to decrease in price?

Get vintage-inspired furniture at Anthropologie.  Save 15% on classy, timeless, and modern furniture from Anthropologie with Anthropologie discount gift cards.

Find the latest fashion brands of furniture at Macy’s.  Macy’s furniture selection ranges from sectionals and bedroom sets to recliners and more to compliment your modern, casual, or traditional decor.

Furniture is an investment.  If you are going to pay for a big ticket item, you might as well score big savings, too.

Anthropologie discount gift cards reduce Anthropologie furniture prices by 15%.  This means if you plan to make a $500 furniture purchase at Anthropologie, you’d save $75 if you pay with discount Anthropologie gift cards!  At Macy’s, you’d save $63 on a $900 furniture purchase with discount Macy’s gift cards.  Macy’s discount gift cards reduce your Macy’s furniture purchases by 7%.

Furnish your home and get the look you want for less with discount gift cards from Plastic Jungle.