Tip: How Do You Use Gift Reward Points If They Don't Offer Anything Good?

I've found a way to use my gift reward points from a couple sites that pay off with merchandise purchased with accumlated points (no cash offered).

My points are going for magazine subscriptions for the local Nashville (IL) Public Library which has actually cut back on subscriptions for its magazine rack due to its shrinking budget/increasing subscription prices.

Coke Rewards has some decent offers, especially if you have hundreds of points, but, as is often the case, pickings are slim at the bottom-feeding level (depending on your taste).

Nevertheless, with a couple hundred points I was able to provide the library with two magazines subscriptions for desirable titles.

From eRewards, which offers no cash but plenty of frequent flyer miles (I don't fly), discounts on mail order meat, and other merchandise I don't particularly want, I scored a couple more magazine titles for the library.

The librarian was very appreciative of the gesture and I'm certain that other libraries would welcome the help, as well.

It's not that I'm depriving myself.  I'm still racking up points at MyPoints and here at Gather for more Borders cards, but they offer options some survey sites and similar reward sites do not. 

Rather than drop eRewards or similar reward sites, I will continue to accumulate points so I can painlessly help out the public library with magazine subscriptions.  These subscriptions could go to others, as well, as (Christmas or birthday) gift subscriptions, to nursing homes, any other group you may be associated with.

Something to consider.