Do you think gift cards are the next best thing to a paycheck?

[o2bnocn]

I am on a few different places that don't offer paychecks. However they offer gift cards so I usually opt for those choices. Sometimes I get necessities with those gift cards depending on the place I opt for. It's a little frustrating that the places don't offer paychecks. I'm still enjoying the work they have though, I just try to be wise about how I spend the gift card. One place has started offering virtual card like a debit card but only for online stores so I think I will start choosing that, since that might be a better option. Your thoughts?

[ghunter]

I would rather paycheck, but gift cards are ok like the Visa gift card which you can use anywhere.

[racho143]

No i do not think so, because gift cares in a way limit the things that you spend the money on and its not that easy keeping track of the money in a gift card as it is when u have cash or money in a debit or credit card you can just make a call and find out the balance in you're account but you can not really do that with many gift cards. I would rather get my paycheck any day over any gift card. Even though there are cards that benefit you but it is hard to get a hold of those.

[pkrahmer]

gift cards are I guess are the next best thing to a paycheck. However the truth be known I still prefer cold hard cash. 

[plennis]

I would rather have a paycheck, give me a bigger choice, you cannot pay a lot of your bills with a gift card.

[ancmetro]

     First choice: Paycheck. Why? Because you earn social security credits and later you can receive unemployment benefits.
     Second choice: Gift cards. They are excellent benefits because you do not have to wait for a paycheck...and you can buy necessities immediately.

[Getinonthis]

I've had sites that offer gift cards, I usually only take Amazon gift cards. Nevertheless I'm not into gift cards as payments, I use my payments for various reasons besides shopping.

[mrrangerrick]

I'd rather have a paycheck and if not, then a prepaid cash card would be my second option. Gift cards are nice too, but not as desirable.

[yikes77]

A gift card can't cover your heating bill.  Though I wouldn't turn out gift cards for places I go to often.

[Penwoir]

Whilst gift cards are sometimes doable, I have a strong preference for checks. Once paid into your bank account, you can spend a check at any store you wish using a debit card, you can save your cash or even chose to transfer the money to pay off another credit card. However with many gift cards, you are told which store the card must be spent at (Lowes, Starbucks etc). I appreciate that you can spend a VISA credit card almost anywhere, but who's to say how much money you have left on your credit card. I also appreciate if you opt for a VISA card, you are more likely to receive it more quickly, but some of them make charges for certain things. I will always opt for cash!

[melodylogan45]

I like  visa and master card gift cards that do not have fees. I can buy anything I want and at just about any store.

[southernhorizons]

For my real job, of course I prefer a paycheck. But online, I prefer Amazon cards. With the places that don't pay with gift cards, I'll take the check or Paypal money and buy Amazon cards with it. Right now I'm saving up for an expensive camera on Amazon, so I'll take all the gift cards I can get.

[cateyes1]

I don't mind gift cards, next best thing

[nadinastarr]

I prefer cash to a gift card because you never know when the company will go out of business. If I get a gift card, I usually try spend all of it ASAP.

[judylucas]

i had trouble getting credit for a gift card so i prefer payment to paypal