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Several retailers have announced programs to make your government stimulus check worth more.

So far, the likes of Sears, Kmart and supermarket Kroger have said if you trade your stimulus check for gift cards at their stores, they’ll give you an extra 10 percent. So, if you’re getting $600 back, that’s a free $60. Give them a $1,200 check and you get $1,320 in gift cards.

It’s fine to take advantage of these deals, assuming two things:

• You spend enough at the retailer anyway to use up the money. This is where Sears is problematic. Were you going to spend hundreds of dollars at Sears anyway? You can always use the food and household supplies from Kmart and Kroger.
• Make sure the gift cards don’t have fees, weird restrictions or near-term expiration dates. Remember, you’re trading cash for an inferior form of currency that can only be used at one place.

Kroger will also supercharge your regular federal and state tax refund checks by 10 percent. It apparently will also accommodate those who have their checks direct-deposited, rather than receiving a paper check.

Keep an eye out for more of these types of promotions in the coming weeks.