I have to agree with Sewbizgirl - cash does go everywhere. I don't like the American Express or Visa cards because they charge to activate them (and they are not cheap). Since I shop at Joann's, Amazon, MSQC, Fabric.com, etc. it always seems that when I have a gift card to one place, that is when I want something from somewhere else. And my family was saying once they hated giving me the gift cards because I use it to make things for everyone else. But since I very rarely make things for myself it would be very rare for me to spend it on me. But I love having those gift cards, it's like having a super coupon!
My SIL wanted a membership to the San Diego Zoo - but she had moved to Palm Springs - the year she moved she went once to the Zoo in over a year. So I gave her the cash to buy it herself when she goes to the zoo next time. At first she thought I was crazy but after holding onto the money for 6 months and realized she was not going anymore it was a nice donation to the zoo but was a waste of money for her, so she spent the money on something else she wanted.