Showing posts with label AARP discounts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AARP discounts. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Senior Discounts You Will Love!

Let's be honest ... there aren't a whole lot of benefits to getting older.  However, one benefit we should all take advantage of are the senior discounts.  Starting at age 50, you will start to be eligible for certain senior price breaks at a number of businesses.  More special deals kick in at age 60 and there are an even larger range of discounts available by the time you are 65.

In addition to the ones listed below, make sure you are aware of any special discounts in your area ... free classes, reduced price meals at local restaurants, special days at museums, etc.

It is important to know, however, that in general you must ASK in order to get your senior discount.  The businesses are happy to forget about them, unless you ask.

Senior Discounts You Can Use

 

AARP Discounts - Once you turn 50, be sure to sign up for AARP.  Your membership will only cost about $16 a year, and it will make you eligible for a whole range of discounts including hotels deals, especially at Best Western and La Quinta, as well as other travel packages.  Restaurant discounts at Landry's, McCormick & Schmick, Rainforest Cafe, Outback Steakhouse, Denny's, and other places.  Sears Department Stores offer a discount on their Road Handler tires.  You can also get reduced prices on prescription drugs that are not covered by your medical insurance.  The AARP magazine and website will provide you with more information about the deals that are available.  However, my husband and I simply ask about AARP discounts everywhere we go, especially when we are traveling, going into museums, or visiting tourist attractions.

Restaurant Discounts - In addition to the restaurants that offer a discount through AARP, there are other restaurants that offer a price reduction on their own, including Arby's, Boston Market, Chili's, Subway and Wendy's.  However, as mentioned earlier, you have to ask for them.  Some businesses will require you to register for the discounts before you can get them.

Special Deals on Travel - Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and US Airways all offer discounts for people over the age of 65.  However, my husband has pointed out that it is smart to see if you are able to get an even lower fare by using discount ticket sites.  He has found that often the senior prices are not the best deals.  Dollar Rent-a-Car offers discounts to seniors, whether they are members of AARP or not. Amtrak also offers a 15% price reduction on the lowest available rail fare for people over the age of 62. Bus service discounts are also available in many cities.  Lower prices on cruises are also available.  Make sure you check out Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Lines for their special offers.

Department Store Price Breaks - Many stores offer senior discounts, but again you have to ask for them.  Sometimes the deals are only available on certain days.  For example, Kohl's has lower prices on Wednesdays for customers who are 55 and over.  Ross has the same deal on Tuesday's.  Belk offers 15% off on the first Tuesday of each month.  Banana Republic offers 10% off all the time for customers over the age of 50.

Lower Prices at Drug Store  - Rite Aid offers 20% off your entire purchase on the first Wednesday of every month, if you are over the age of 65.  I keep a list of items I buy regularly, such as vitamins and shampoo, and pick those items up on that day each month.  You have to register your Rite Aid card in order to get the price break, and then it is automatically entered when you check out on that day of the month.  In addition, I qualify for Plenti points for purchases that I make at Rite Aid and Macy's, as well as for my AT&T phone bill.  These points add up quickly and can easily be converted to cash that I can spend in those stores.  Every little bit counts!

Movie Theater Discounts - Most movie chains offer a special price for seniors.  Our local theater not only has a normal senior discount that is available all the time, but on Wednesdays and Thursdays the price is even lower. 

More Price Reductions for Seniors - The senior discounts that are available are constantly changing.  For a current list, be sure to check out The Senior List website for a current list.  Look for the tab at the top of the page.  You might be surprised what you will find.

You will also get more helpful ideas from this this list of Senior Discounts for People Over 50 that was listed on the Mogul website.

Looking for more helpful retirement information?  Use the tabs or pull down list at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles on where to retire, financial planning, medical issues, and changing family values.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Save Money with Senior Discounts

One way to save money is to take
advantage of sales and discounts!
Did you know that there are a large number of discounts available to senior citizens?  Although some individual companies have their own discount programs, one of the easiest ways to access a large number of different programs is to join AARP.  

Money is a major issue for the vast majority of retirees who are living on a fixed income.  As inflation eats away at their disposable income, more and more of us are looking for ways to save money.  Unfortunately, many of us don't even think to ask for some of the discounts that are available to us once we reach our 60s and, in some cases, even sooner.

When I received my new AARP card, they mentioned some of the discounts that are available simply by showing my card.  In addition, I thought about some of the other discounts I know about, and did a little research to find those that are new to me.  There's no way that any list here can cover all the possible discounts available.  Some discounts that are currently available could be discontinued or changed. In addition, some local businesses in your area may have savings programs that I don't know about.  To be on the safe side, always be sure to ask if there is a discount for people over 55.  Even if they tell you that you will have to wait until you are 60 or 62, at least you'll know.  If they act surprised that you're even asking, take it as a complement.  It means that they don't think you look old enough for a senior discount!

Here are a few of the discounts that I have found.  Check with businesses in your area and compile a list of discounts at businesses you use frequently.  Keep the list tucked in your wallet, and you are less likely to forget about a discount when you are eating out or shopping.

SAMPLE RESTAURANTS
Denny's Restaurant - 20% off evenings w/AARP card (55+)
Applebee's - 15% off w/Golden Apple Card (60+)
Ben & Jerry's - 10% off (60+)
Burger King - 10% off (60+)
CiCi's Pizza - 10% off (60+)
Fuddrucker's - 10% off senior platters (55+)
IHOP - 10% off (55+)

SAMPLE RETAILERS
Banana Republic - 10% off (50+)
Big Lots - 10% off
Goodwill - 10% one day a week (day varies)
Kmart - 20% off (50+)
Salvation Army Thrift - up to 50% off (55+)
Rite Aid drug store - (20% off on the first Wednesday of the month)

SAMPLE TRAVEL SERVICES
Amtrack - 15% off (62+)
Avis - up to 25% for AARP members
Best Western - 10% off (55+)
Comfort Inn - 20% - 30% off (60+)

SAMPLE ENTERTAINMENT
AMC Theaters - up to 30% off (55+)
U.S. National Parks - $10 lifetime pass (62+)

There are many other restaurants, hotels, car rental companies and theaters that offer discounts.  Don't forget to ask at the local businesses that you patronize.  You will be glad you did!  In addition, if you see a discount mentioned here that has been discontinued, please mention it in the comments section.  I will delete it from the article.  Feel free to also add any of your favorite discounts as an aid to others.

If you are interested in learning more about planning a successful retirement, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles about where to retire, financial planning, medical issues, and family relationships.

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

photo courtesy of public-domain-photo.com

Thursday, September 15, 2011

When Should You Join AARP?



Like many other Baby Boomers, my husband and I do not think of ourselves as senior citizens. As far as we are concerned, other people may be old, but not us! We still believe we are in the prime of our lives. As a result, when we were in our 50's and some friends suggested we sign up for AARP, we were surprised. AARP stands for the American Association of Retired People. As we saw things, we weren't retired at the time and we aren't old, so why would we need this organization?

Take Advantage of AARP Discounts

As we discovered, however, AARP has a reat deal to offer people in their 50s and older. For example, they have negotiated discounts at hotels and motels nationwide. Those discounts alone have more than covered the cost of our annual AARP membership. In addition, members can use their AARP card to get discounts at Walgreens. You can also use it for discounts at tourist attractions, Michaels Stores (on Tuesdays), Chart House Restaurants, cruises, and more. In fact, we never travel anymore without asking if there is an AARP discount, and we are often surprised by how often the answer is "Yes."  For a membership that costs less than $20 a year, the discounts are wonderful!

Stay Up-to-Date with AARP Mailings

AARP will also send you emails and magazines with a wide variety of helpful tips on retirement planning, travel, maintaining your health, and related information.  Frequently, the articles I read in an AARP magazine will spur me to write a post on that topic.

AARP Offers Insurance Programs for Senior Citizens

In addition, they offer several insurance programs for seniors. I want to point out, however, that my husband and I have never used their insurance programs, so I do not know if they are good deals. I only know that they have some special insurance products that are designed for our age group.  At the very least, you can use their insurance products as a baseline for comparison shopping.

AARP is the Major Washington Lobbyist that Represents Retirees

AARP also represents the interests of senior citizens when they lobby Congress over numerous issues which will affect us now and in the future. This service is somewhat controversial, though, since not all seniors think alike. However, I personally believe that AARP does try to do what they can to protect us ... even if I have not always agreed with a few of the positions they have taken.

Advantages of Joining AARP in Your 50's

In general, I am glad that we joined, even though I originally felt silly applying for membership with the American Association of Retired People when I was in my 50s and still working. It has saved me a great deal of money, and provided me with so much information, that it seems like a smart decision now. This is one money saving idea that I am happy to pass on, because I think all senior citizens should take advantage of it!

If you are looking for more information about retirement planning, financial planning, where to retire, health issues that could come up, changing family relationships, Social Security, Medicare and more, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this page for links to hundreds of additional articles.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  Morguefile.com