AARP Rewards Holiday Savings & Budget Contest 2023

 I use some of the gift cards to shop for items for Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child shoebox items. My husband and I also ordered a very neat toolkit that AARP had on-line to include for older boys--for the shoebox program. I had used "Gap" and "Eddie Bauer" gift cards to order clothing to include, too. Thank you, AARP, for allowing me to shop and include more items to pack for those in dire need. 

I make some handmade gifts each year for a personalized gift. 

 I appreciate that the AARP articles on budgeting encourage mindfulness in our spending habits. The survey games and points give an additional incentive to keep learning and exploring cost saving options. This year I ventured into a homemade gifts for all the family by making vanilla with Madagascar beans and Shefield (think Chicago) vodka. It is a kitchen staple and brings a "Cubs" memory into the gift. Gift cards will accompany the homemade bottles.

I recently got back into taking advantage of AARP’s rewards program and have gotten my husband and sister interested also. We all are saving with the gift cards. This holiday season AARP will allow us to eat out more while shopping. Shopping will be a lot more fun knowing I’ve already saved up to 30%. With today’s inflation that helps tremendously. I also take advantage of grocery store gift cards as I am usually the host of our family Thanksgiving day dinner. Hey with all this eating, there are several daily exercise videos to help keep the pounds off while earning points. It’s a win win!

I have a list and keep an eye out for items all year long.  Vacations are great times to find things that are a little different and special.   I have a big plastic box in the bottom of my closet and keep a running list in my pocketbook.  I worked retail as a teenager and would NEVER be one of those panicked people knocking on the door as they're locking up Christmas Eve.  That's too stressful for everyone.

 1  I use the gift cards as gifts or towards gifts for my children and grandchildren by saving them up for holiday shopping.  If I win a restaurant gift card, it is a special treat for my husband and I to go out to dinner. Holiday Savings, AARP Rewards, Contest 2023, budget

 I enjoy earning points by playing the games and watching videos, then using the points for gift cards. At times I have tried out different products I never would have before. I especially enjoy gift cards for dining out. 

Like many others, I enjoy time with my family at restaurants using gift cards and discounts offered by AARP.

Saving money when purchasing Gift Cards is wonderful! So nice to enjoy a meal out or give a card as a gift. Contests are a favorite way to earn points and so educational! Thank you AARP

Some say, holiday shopping is a time when most people break their budgets! I say holiday shopping is a time when big savings can be realized through a combination of daily deals, redemption of gift cards for points, “Near you” deals and strategic shopping with the help of AARP Rewards.
Within the AARP Rewards catalog, you can redeem your rewards points or purchase select items at a discount of up to 30%. You can redeem up to 3 gift cards monthly. I try to choose the same gift card month after month to accumulate a larger balance for gift giving.
Daily Deals - New “Daily Deals” are available Monday through Friday from 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. ET or while supplies last. These are gift cards with up to a 30% discount, from restaurants, grocery stores and retail stores. These are perfect for gifts or purchase these discounted cards and shop when items are on sale for a larger discount.
Instant wins - Try for a chance to win gift cards. Yes these are difficult to win, but persistence is key. I save my gift cards until I have a larger balance to purchase gifts.
Near you- These are local deals near you, mostly restaurants, but local merchants as well. I have an outlet mall near me that often has deals listed - Browse for deals near you! Redeem for points then, print, or save to your mobile device, then present the coupon to the merchant. These are perfect for family holiday get togethers on a budget, and local shopping.
Like anything, success is in the details, and this does take a bit of planning for successful strategic shopping. With the combination of all of these sections of the rewards catalog and obtaining multiple gift cards from the same merchant, maximizes savings. This is how i save on holiday shopping and budgeting with the help of AARP Rewards Catalog.