AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

Save brown bananas in a plastic bag in the freezer.  When you have enough to make banana bread, thaw out for 1-2 hours, cut off one end, and just squeeze out the contents. 

I buy staple pantry items like canned goods and some frozen foods I use regularly on the first Wednesday of the month at Frys to save an additional 10% 

I also utilize the cash benefits from my health insurance company for basic health supplies 

I LIKE TO SHOP AT DOLLAR TREE. YOU CAN FIND REPUTABLE ITEMS AT 1.25, IN WHICH IT USE TO BE 1.00 A FEW YEARS AGO. THE 99 CENT STORE WAS MY FAVORITE, BUT THAY HAVE SINCE THEN WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN TEXAS.

Look for No Penalty CDs that earn higher interest rates than money market accounts. Money there is accessible quickly and there is no penalty for early withdrawal. Ordinarily all monies have to be deposited at once and withdrawal of entire amount at once is usually required.

Purchase "gift cards" through AARP at a discount to use to pay at your favorite retailer/dining establishment, etc. It's like always getting it on sale or as my husband says, like not having to pay taxes on something.

  Use BOGO buy one get one free at the supermarket.

I I make my own bone broth, bake my own sourdough bread, am growing my own produce and bake and cook from scratch.  I shop mainly at Aldi, but also keep an eye out for sales.  Since being laid off in January, I’ve been also going through my pantry and using up things that have been sitting there for a while.  We haven’t been eating out or getting take out.  We are also only buying things we need, not want.  

I clip coupons, wait for store sale for my item, use my gift card I was awarded from AARP Games, and sometimes I get a store percentage off.  When I go to the cashier, I have saved nearly 75% off receipt.  I'm able to do this about 3 times a year.

I really like to drink wine when I am out, but I've been trying to save money so I order a seltzer or sparkling water in a wine glass.   It gives me the illusion I am drinking a glass of wine, while saving money and being a bit healthier.  I immediately take the $7-$10 that I would have spent on a glass of wine and put it in a separate pocket of my purse.  Then I transfer it to my savings envelope when I get home.

I buy as many store brands as possible since they are usually

 made by the name brand companies and thus are the same quality.