New Jersey Trying to Seize Unused Gift Card Balances

New Jersey residents with unused gift cards might want to make that trip to Target or Home Depot soon. The state legislature voted to seize the unused balances of all gift cards and traveler’s checks issued in the state before a certain date.

A judge struck down the law, but the state is appealing the ruling. By stealing the gift card balances from their owners, the state could raise up to $80 million.

That’s one way to fix a busted budget. Here’s another: spend less.