AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

 I took a hard look at the outside of my house and realized that every screen, doors and windows, were in shabby shape: holes, torn, and sagging. I had a few coupons from my local hardware store which I used plus, I discovered for every 3 screens I brought in to be fixed, I got one done free. My house is now spruced up and looking great for just a few dollars.

 NEVER pay full price for anything! Coupons, online codes, sites like Retail Me Not and Rakuten offer great deals that are always changing. Many sites let you upload a store receipts for cash. AARP membership, it gives you a huge percentage of Walmart+ & other discounts. Groupon. If you like computer games I recommend FreeCash. You won't get rich but i've made $800+ in about 9 months   playing games through their site. 

  Finally, it never hurts to ask. I just saved     $50/month on my xfinity internet bill just   by asking for a discount! Be nice and always use the person's name.

I never carry cash and use my credit cards for everything, including utilities, groceries, evenings out, etc. Most cards are targeted to specific purchases and pay back a higher percentage for these purchases..5% vs 1% or 2% on all other purchases. (for example).I pay the balance in full every month and earn the cash back. I use my rewards for restaurants and department stores. It’s my favorite way of spending time to treat myself to something special. 

I’m very intentional about how I manage my money and look for ways to save wherever I can. One of my main strategies is paying off my car loan as quickly as possible to reduce the amount of interest I pay over time.

I also try to avoid unnecessary purchases—if I don’t truly need something, I don’t buy it. Instead, I focus on decluttering and sell clothes or accessories that I haven’t used in over a year.

Before making any large purchase, I always shop around and compare prices to make sure I’m getting the best deal. I also take advantage of smaller opportunities to save or earn money, like completing receipt surveys and opening bank accounts that offer bonuses or rewards.

Overall, I combine careful spending with smart strategies to make the most of my money.

 I keep a paper pad to write down things I'm getting low on. I call it my "If On Sale" list. I check to see if anything on that list is on sale at either of the nearby grocery store that week by checking their websites. If I need something that isn't on sale, I make sure I buy it at the store with the lowest price. I buy store brands for most things, and I use my freezer to take advantage of meat sales.  One of those grocery stores has a Senior Discount Day, so I shop there on Thursdays. I pay for everything with my credit card that gives me cash back. I DO NOT carry a balance on any of my credit cards. If I have an emergency bill, like some car repairs in February this year, I use the credit card and then pay the bill from my emergency fund or a withdrawal from my IRA. 

I have found my library to be a great source of free entertainment. Mine also has free programs to learn history, crafts, do art, and even teaches a musical instrument. I can check out or listen to books, movies, music, for free. Your library is the best value in your town.

We set up shelving in our basement and turned it into a shopping "pantry."  We've stocked up on items we use often. Of course, we stock up (and restock) on such items as they go on sale; many are lost leaders.  This includes everything from cans of veggies to hairspray to deodorant to Pam cooking spray to boxes of cereal to garbage bags, body soap, coffee, soda, shampoo, hvac filters, hair dye, chips, baggies, toilet paper - you get the picture.  We go shopping weekly at our local store to purchase fresh items such as veggies, milk and bread.  It has saved us lots and lots of money since we've retired.

As a child of the Depression, I have are VERY frugal.  I even  put the lightly used plastic sandwich bags turned inside in the washer & shake out to let drying.  Make me CRAZY for sure!!!

When the seasons change, like winter to spring, I see friends putting the heat on in the morning, and then switch to air conditioning in the afternoon……this can add up in cost…. I have found that wearing layers can keep you comfortable, and not cost you money…… this year March has really been up and down, so the savings do add up.

With gas prices ever volatile, my go-to biggest money saver is to utilize grocery store fuel point rewards.  The Kroger family of grocery stores, like Ralph's and Fry's, offer up to a $1.00 off per gallon for up to 35 gallons per fill up.  They always have 2x fuel points on gift cards, and have 4x fuel points on gift cards several times a year as a coupon in their app.  If I know I need something from another store like Michaels, or Lowe's, I price out what I want to buy on their website first, then stop at a Kroger for a gift card close to that estimated amount. Don't forget to include the Shell gift card to pay for the gas you're about to save on, too!  In addition, certain times a year they have 4x fuel points on groceries on Fridays.  You'd be surprised how quickly the points add up to $1.00 off.  I'd then line up the 3 drivers/vehicles in my household to maximize the full 35 gallon savings.  Calling it the gas shuffle.  This minor inconvenience saves up to $35 at fill up!!