With the new year, of course, came new laws. One of the more significant ones was one which furthers California's consumer identity--You're now able to get a redemption on gift cards that are $10 or less.

As the San Jose Mercury writes:

On Jan. 1, consumers will be able to redeem gift cards for cash if the balance is less than $10, thanks to a new law sponsored by state Sen. Ellen Corbett, D-San Leandro.

Currently, gift cards worth less than five dollars can be subjected to dormancy fees and a store can refuse to give the remaining value back in cash no matter how small the value.

Richard Holober, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of California, which is based in San Mateo, said, 'Consumers should be aware that any dormant gift cards they have worth less than $10 can be redeemed for cash starting Tuesday.'

Holober said, 'As long as the card was bought 1997 or later, you'll get your cash back. After all, the retail store or restaurant chain was already paid for the full value of the gift card.'

The new law, SB 250, makes California the most consumer-friendly state in the nation when it comes to gift card laws. Vermont allows cash back for up to $1, while Washington and Montana laws give money back up to $5.

This means that if you wanted to, you could see some rewards using credit cards that give you X percent rewards.

For instance, with 10% you could buy a $10 gift card at an art store, buy a wooden pencil (let's say worth 10 cents), redeem the $9.90 card for cash, and see 90 cents in profit.

Just a thought. Anyway, there are a couple provisions to this law:

1. If the card can be used to buy goods or services from multiple unrelated stores, such as an American Express™, MasterCard™, or Visa™ gift card, it is not covered by this California law.

2. Cards can have a redemption date, by which the recipient must use the card (or else receive a full refund of the amount paid for the card).

3. Although gift cards cannot charge a service fee, they can charge a dormancy fee for non-use.

4. This California law does not apply to prepaid calling cards, cards distributed to consumers without charge under an awards, loyalty or promotional program; cards sold below face value at a volume discount to be used for fundraising purposes if the expiration date is 30 days or less after the date of sale; or cards issued for food products or grocery items.

As I mentioned in my first post, a college party must somehow involve drinking. With the crazy number of bowls going on and parties to come, the question remains, how can one get stock up without spending a fortune in hard earned cash?

The solution (at least in the states of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Texas and Vermont) comes in the form of a little known state laws and what it means to you.

These laws date back to the 1930s, when Prohibition was repealed, and allow you to purchase alcohol at places like wholesalers (where you might otherwise need a membership card).

As SmartMoney reveals:

Massachusetts' law, for example, provides that applicants for a license to sell alcohol must "serve the public need and protect the common good." In simpler terms, alcohol sold must be available for purchase by the greater public — no membership restrictions (however the minimum age requirement still applies.) "We uphold those old laws; therefore, any alcohol sold in our clubs in such states is open to the public," says Teleia Farrell, a spokeswoman for BJ's Wholesale Clubs.

Stores like Sam's Club, and Costco have differing options (including no options at all).

Generally speaking, however, this loophole can result in huge savings (anywhere around 20%). That said, don't expect workers to know these laws. Find and talk to a manager if you need to. Bringing this article with you couldn't hurt in also helping to prove your case.

When I used this law, it worked out pretty flawlessly. A manager just further emphasized the fact that this pertained to only alcohol and was not a free ride to buy whatever I wanted in the store without a membership card.

Anyway, try it out if you need to, and save!

I think law is pretty interesting, especially those that are more obscure. It is so vast and yet so hidden at times. For instance, as daily blog tips reveals:

Don’t copy material just because it does not show a copyright message: the Copyright Law required a copyright notice to protect works until 1977. In 1978, however, the law changed and abolished the requirement for copyright notice. This means that every published work (be it on paper or digital media) automatically gets copyright protection, whether expressed with a notice or not.

Now really, how would one have known that just because X, isn't stated, it is still there?

Somewhat related now are antiquated privacy laws and Facebook. As one of the four common-law privacy torts states, “One who appropriates to his own use or benefit the name of likeness of another is subject to liability to the other for an invasion of his privacy.”

Several states including New York and California have provisions that are similar. Coming out of "Abigail M. Roberson v. The Rochester Folding Box Company," New York’s statute creates both a misdemeanor and a civil cause of action for “[a]ny person whose name, portrait, picture, or voice is used within this state for advertising purposes or for the purposes of trade without the written consent first obtained.”

Harvard Law Professors raise great concern about this issue, as a new day and age develops more sophisticated systems. No doubt, this issue of privacy in these networks will have to be dealt with soon enough.

As an addendum, "ah, the powers of tort"