Gift card for Mom? Pick one that expires soon

Mother's Day isn't too far off, and if you're thinking of giving her a gift card she'll use, you'd better make it one that expires soon and not in a year.

A story in the May issue of "The Atlantic" reports that social scientists have found that tight deadlines force people to get things done or have fun, by encouraging them to quit procrastinating and enjoy themselves.

So a gift card with an expiration date of two months is more likely to be used than one that can be used up to a year later. Even if it's something that's good for them, people will put it off it they can.