The best things in life are free. The next best things in life come with discounts, and this is where age matters. After all the hard work of getting through the first 65 years of life, kick back and enjoy things — you're also entitled to a whole lot of discounts! You might not even be aware of many of these discounts, but that will all change by the time you read this helpful post.
American Association of Retired Persons
The first stop on your discount quest should be the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). You probably got your first piece of AARP mail when you turned 50, but who thinks about retirement at 50? Now that you've crossed into retirement, welcome the AARP with open arms. A membership card unlocks all kinds of discounts — think of this as your discount golden ticket.
The other benefit of being an AARP member is that you can participate in all the grants they give away, like this North Dakota organization. This is your membership fee at work!
Prescription Drugs
Prescription costs are a concern for every senior. Thankfully, there are a lot of resources to help you find affordable medications and dietary supplements. These five websites are worth exploring. Also, consider these discounts:
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Rite Aid: Enroll in Rite Aid's Wellness65+ program and enjoy many discounts. You also get 20 percent off other purchases on the first Wednesday of every month.
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CVS Pharmacy: Enroll in CVS ExtraCare to unlock savings and rewards. You earn ExtraBucks with all your purchases; by the way, Target pharmacies are CVS pharmacies.
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Walgreens: They offer a Prescription Savings Club. For a $20 annual membership fee, you can score all kinds of discounts on brand-name and generic medications.
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Walmart: You can get discounts on prescriptions with an AARP membership.
Travel
Airlines, hotels, and cruise lines are eager to make your travel bucket list a reality. Who offers discounts for seniors? Pretty much everyone.
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Flights: United and Delta lead the pack with special senior fares. You can also ask for special fares on American Airlines and British Airways,
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Hotels: Best Western (15 percent off), Choice Hotels (10 percent off for AARP members), Motel 6 (eight percent off), Marriott (special rates for seniors), and Wyndham Hotels (special discount rates for seniors).
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Cruises: Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise provide reduced prices for ages 55 and up. Where do you want to go?
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Car Rentals: Budget (30 percent off with AARP card), Avis (30 percent off with AARP card), Hertz (20 percent off rental)
Cell Phone
Staying in touch is more important than ever. The big cell phone players value senior customers and want to ensure they can save on their services.
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Consumer Cellular: 30 percent off accessories and five percent off monthly services with an AARP membership.
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AT&T: $45 off upgrade and activation fees and 15 percent off accessories with an AARP membership.
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T-Mobile: Wide range of discount plans from $27.50 to $45 a line monthly.
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Verizon: $15 off one or two line rates.
Movie Theater
Nothing beats spending the afternoon at the movies. Afternoon matinees are often at a discount and with smaller crowds. You'll be saving when you visit these theater chains:
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AMC Theaters: Discounts on tickets for folks 60 and over.
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Cinemark: Discounts on tickets for people over 62.
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Landmark Theaters: Seniors enjoy 10 percent off.
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Regal Cinemas: Ticket discount for seniors over 60.
Restaurant
Are you hungry? You can satisfy your appetite and save on meals at these popular restaurants:
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Applebee's: 15 percent discount.
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Arby's: 10 percent discount.
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Chili's: 10 percent off.
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Carrows: Discounted senior's menu.
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Dairy Queen: 10 percent discount.
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Dennys: 15 percent off for AARP members. Plus, All Day Dinner Deals!
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El Pollo Loco: 10 percent off.
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IHOP: Entire special discount menu for seniors.
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Outback Steakhouse: 10 percent off with an AARP card.
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Sizzler: Special discounted senior menus.
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Subway: 10 percent off.
Retail
Try some discount shopping between the transportation to your discount movie and dinner. Here are the places where age matters for a discount:
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15 percent discount on senior days.
Dressbarn: 10 percent off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Hallmark: 10 percent off.
JOANN: 20 percent off on Senior Discount Day (check your local store).
Kohl's: 15 percent off on Wednesday.
Michael's: 10 percent off, including sale items.
PetSmart: 10 percent off purchases, grooming, and overnight boarding.
Ross: 10 percent off on Tuesdays.
No Harm in Asking
"Retirement affords you a life of freedom, and freedom is not doing nothing. Freedom is spending your life doing things you enjoy," says financial guru Clark Howard. Do the things you enjoy, and ask for a discount!
As a general rule, ask if there is a senior discount anywhere you're about to spend money. You might be surprised at all the savings you can score. Here's another fun savings idea. Get a big jar — every time you get a discount, put the savings in the jar. You'll pay for that next vacation in no time at all!
Be sure to follow GoldYears for more helpful advice on how to live your best life.
