No, I’m not talking about using gift cards to pry open the bathroom door your daughter locked from the inside. (In fact, I wouldn’t recommend that at all! Turns out they snap into pieces.)

Let’s say you’ve got a gift card in your hand that you know has a balance on it, but there’s no way you’ll be able to take advantage of it: it’s for a steakhouse and you’ve been vegan for ages; it’s to a store you’ve vowed to stay away from because you consistently overspend there; it’s a gas card, and you’ve just decided to reduce your carbon footprint by moving to the city and only take public transportation.

Whatever. Just bypass the procrastination and realize that you can easily, quickly, and securely get something for that gift card on Plastic Jungle, and I’ll tell you how.

Sell Gift Cards for Cash, Funds in your PayPal Account, or an Amazon.com Gift Card

1) Did someone mention CASH?
That’s right. You can sell gift cards with as little as $10 remaining on them (it doesn’t even have to be an even number, it can be what’s left over after you’ve made a purchase) for CASH. Plastic Jungle honors gift cards from over 400 stores, from Walmart to Tiffany to PETCO to Bass Pro Shops. Once your gift card is verified (by mail or online), Plastic Jungle issues your check or deposits money into your PayPal account, whatever you choose. (Then, don’t forget that you can purchase discounted gift cards to get a deal at another one of those 400+ stores!)

2) Exchange gift cards for Amazon.com Gift Cards.
And what doesn’t Amazon.com sell? From ebooks to grills to groceries, Amazon.com is among the best places to have a store credit. Plus, in this gift card exchange, you’ll receive more than what you’d get in a cash payout – 5% more!

3) Trade in gift cards for Facebook Credits.
We know how fun and addictive those games get. From Farmville and MafiaWars to Happy Aquarium and Zuma Blitz, you can trade your gift card for Facebook Credits using the Plastic Jungle Gift Card Exchange App on Facebook. Just be logged into Facebook and search Plastic Jungle. You’ll see our fan page (Like us!) and the Application page.  When you’re on the App page, you’ll need to allow pop-ups. Then you’re good to start trading.

4) Convert gift cards to GamePoints.
At GamePoints you’re able to exchange gift cards for a virtual currency you can use on hundreds of social games. Log in at GamePoints.com by creating a free account, or using your Facebook account.

5) DONATE gift cards to your favorite charity!
You’ll find that Gift Cards for Good through Plastic Jungle is a very safe, convenient and efficient way to get the balance left on your gift card to your favorite charity or nonprofit. Have your charity check in with Plastic Jungle (at PJ for Nonprofits) to make the process even easier.

So don’t let unused gift cards waste away in your sock drawer when you have all these great options… sell them to Plastic Jungle today!

Earlier today, we announced the launch of a new virtual currency exchange with Offerpal Media (the leader in virtual currency payment alternatives).  You can now trade in gift cards for purchasing power within thousands of the Web’s top online games, virtual worlds and social networks on Offerpal’s new site, GamePoints.com (currently in beta – congrats Offerpal!!).  Visit GamePoints.com/tradein to check it out.

Offerpal will also reward you with virtual currency when you shop at big-brand retailers, take part in offers from trusted advertisers, complete market research surveys, watch online videos, and so on – learn more in Offerpal’s announcement.

At launch, you will be able to exchange your gift cards in for Game Points that can be used on participating gaming applications such as Zynga’s FarmVille, YoVille, Zynga Poker, Mafia Wars, Cafe World, PetVille, FishVille, Vampire Wars and others; Playdom’s Mobsters, Sorority Life, Social City, Tiki Resort and others; Digital Chocolate’s MMA Pro Fighter; HitGrab’s Mousehunt; TheBroth’s Barn Buddy; Tall Tree Game’s Fish World; K-Factor Media’s Castle Age; Tree Room’s My Town; Apps-O-Rama’s Car Madness; Offbeat Creations’ Be a Tycoon; BitRhymes’ The Warlords; Five Minutes’ Happy Farm; and many others.

During the beta program, Game Points can be spent in gaming applications on Facebook; after the general release Game Points will be able to be spent in games on MySpace, Bebo, Hi5 and other social networks as well as standalone MMO and virtual world sites.

“Plastic Jungle excels at helping people exchange gift cards for whatever it is they really want,” said George Garrick, CEO of Offerpal Media. “Our collaboration brings social gamers yet another way to access virtual currency on the games, applications, and sites they love.”

Our very own Gary (CEO) said, “Plastic Jungle frees trapped money in the form of unspent gift cards and allows it to start moving again. Working with Offerpal, a leader in virtual currency monetization, further taps the unredeemed gift card economy for the benefit of game developers and social publishers and their consumers. We are excited to provide a useful solution for millions of passionate, engaged, and motivated social gamers and the gift cards they have tucked away in their sock drawers.”

What’s your favorite gaming app?

Zynga Game Cards are now available in stores nationwide!  Currently, the gift cards are available solely in $10 denomination.  I should also mention not all the gift cards are available at all four locations.  Here is a break down of where you can find the game cards… pick up a FarmVille gift card at GameStop and 7-Eleven.  Mafia Wars gift cards can be found at GameStop, 7-Eleven, and Best Buy.  YoVille gift cards can be found at GameStop, 7-Eleven, Best Buy, and Target.

Before you make a purchase, check Plastic Jungle first! Get discounts on GameStop gift cards, Target gift cards (currently available at 4% off), or Best Buy gift cards – whichever store has your favorite game card – then use the gift card almost like a coupon to save when you shop for your new Zynga Game Card.  It’s never been so economical to building your Maison, buy a Hot Rod Harvester, or use Farmhands and Arborists.

If the gift card you want isn’t available, you might want to consider setting up notifications in your PJ account to be alerted as soon as we list new inventory in those brands.