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AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
March 19, 2026
728 replies
96389 views

Share your best savings strategies—and what you’re saving for!

Join the AARP Rewards Community Smart Saver Contest here in the AARP Rewards Connect forum and inspire others with your favorite money-smart tips. Whether it’s a clever budgeting trick, a savvy shopping habit, or a small daily habit that adds up over time, we want to hear about it.

If you’re using the AARP Rewards program to help you save and achieve your savings goals, please share that in your post too!

By sharing your savings strategy in this thread, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of six $100 gift cards.

How to Enter

Reply to this post and share one or more of your best money-saving tips, stories, or strategies during the Contest Entry Period of March 23, 2026, through April 19, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET on April 19, 2026. See link to Official Rules below.

Let’s help each other save smarter. Post your tip and join the conversation!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 or older. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Official Rules: https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Smart-Saver-Contest-2026-Official/td-p/2661846

smart saver contest

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WendyB325874

Contributor ⭐

Look into your local senior center for low cost day trips, social gatherings and group classes. Our center has a wonderful fitness room, so no gym membership is needed!

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ej6327

Contributor ⭐

@AARPTeri wrote:
Share your best savings strategies—and what you’re saving for!

Join the AARP Rewards Community Smart Saver Contest here in the AARP Rewards Connect forum and inspire others with your favorite money-smart tips. Whether it’s a clever budgeting trick, a savvy shopping habit, or a small daily habit that adds up over time, we want to hear about it.

If you’re using the AARP Rewards program to help you save and achieve your savings goals, please share that in your post too!

By sharing your savings strategy in this thread, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of six $100 gift cards.

How to Enter
Reply to this post and share one or more of your best money-saving tips, stories, or strategies during the Contest Entry Period of March 23, 2026, through April 19, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET on April 19, 2026. See link to Official Rules below.

Let’s help each other save smarter. Post your tip and join the conversation!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 or older. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Void where prohibited. Official Rules: https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Smart-Saver-Contest-2026-Official/td-p/2661846

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ej6327

Contributor ⭐

First I clip coupons from everywhere and organize them which makes it easier when shopping. I go to websites of local supermarkets and download digital coupons at stores that give gas credit rewards. I also buy gift cards there as some give you 4X the gas credit ie, a $25 gift card gives you 100 gas credits which saves money at gas pump. I put all purse change in a big covered jar. I check coins for imperfections which makes them worth alot more. I wrap the ones I check which makes it easier to count when I want to deposit in savings account to get interest. I also put 10% of monthly income . Whenever I can I put more money on credit cards to lower debt ratio. And I have in the past used the AARP Rewards program to get coupons at restaurants etc, ty

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Hi @ej6327 Have you sold any of the coins with imperfections, and if so any cool valuable ones that got you anything? Many of the banks now will not take coins, wrapped or loose, or charge to use the coin machine. That’s great you can take them to your bank.

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EricJ529844

Contributor ⭐

Honestly the best way to save that I have figured out is to set up with Acorns. It rounds off purchases and puts the change into an index fund. I don't even think about it until I look to see what's in there. It;s always way more than I would imagine.

H

harrisheimer

Contributor ⭐

We paid off our house by applying 10% extra of our pay on top of the regular house payment. After that was paid off, we put it in a savings account earmarked for repairs and retirement.

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GAKKIEZ

Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐

I did the same thing and actually paid off my house 15 years early! I started looking at the monthly statements to check the balance of the principal owed. It's amazing how fast that principal was reduced when you get to the point that most of your monthly payment is going to that. I now have a high yield savings account just for the annual taxes and insurance that I add to monthly. Don't forget to apply for the homestead exemption your state may offer for seniors or those disabled! It gives me a $37,500.00 exemption of the value that taxes are figured on.

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

Congrats on that @GAKKIEZ , that’s quite a feat.

C

cleopatrabadd

Contributor ⭐

I am saving for a much needed family reunion. After using apps like Ancestry.com and Cri Genetics I discovered new family members and I want to travel to several of the countries I’m descended from. I’ve been saving more money by cooking at home more and eating fresh vegetables and fruits. I find that farmer’s markets are a great resource. I also take advantage of bulk buying, it can save in other areas like time and gas. I stream lined all of my subscriptions if I’m not using it, I lowered them or discontinued them. One unexpected way I save money is by making money by yard selling and thrifting. Its really a market for used items in good condition.

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ctrouble

Contributor ⭐

Keep making car payments, put them into an interest bearing account dedicated to the next vehicle. It took awhile, but now I buy all vehicles cash without paying any loan interest, instead I'm earning interest.

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rcraine

Contributor ⭐

Thank you

I do the same thing and purchased my las car cash also

rmaf

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la61892508

Contributor ⭐⭐

Me too!

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GAKKIEZ

Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐

I use one of my credit cards that issues points for rewards (gift cards, etc.) to purchase cigarettes (my vice). I usually purchase 3 cartons a month so it does help with budgeting and I use the points for gift cards or a credit for the credit card payment. At least I get something for the purchase!

J

JohnM476741

Contributor ⭐

I stack discounted gift cards from big box stores on sales items for an even bigger discount on items. I watch for sales and then purchase gift cards from AARP or other gift card retailers that provide discounts on their cards.

D

db83613357

Contributor ⭐

Do every rebate no matter how small the amount is. Remember, "A penny saved is two pence clear”.

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

I haven’t seen rebates lately, @db83613357 but I do remember cutting the UPC codes and following all of the instructions to get the money. It was exciting getting it back in the mail I remember.

C

CamilleS606072

Contributor ⭐

I keep a jar for loose coins and once a year I take it to a counting machine.

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