AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

Use online streaming services that bundle with something else - like Walmart+ gives you Paramount Plus, and join Walmart plus they AARP to save $40 a year on the Walmart +.  That gives you the Paramount + for free and you save .10 a gallon on gas.  Especially now - cheaper gas is preferred.  Also Amazon Prime gives you the Prime streaming service - nice bundle there especially if you do a lot of online shopping.

I take advantage of free programs at my local library and senior center and also watch the exercise videos on AARP to exercise when it's convenient for me. Lots of great programs at all 3 and free!!

As a mother of 5 sons, I tend to shop for them when I have coupons. I sign up to receive discounts and earn points for additional money off my purchases. I take advantage of back to school sales when coupons are available. I use credit cards that earn cash back as well and I make sure to use the cards that have a lower interest rate so it’s easier to pay off. 

• Save the waxed paper from Cereal and use in place of other paper to pound meat
• Use eggshells to as seed starting pots, then plant the whole thing
• AARP rewards, always interesting topics
• use only half of the hair dye to touch up roots, equal parts of both solutions
• LED lights EVERYWHERE
• Timers on outside lights instead of dusk to dawn fixtures
• Turn down hot water heater when away for a few days
• Always cold water in the washing machine
• turn down thermostat at night and when away for a few days
• keep curtains and blinds closed in summer on the sunniest side of the house. In winter oupen them on sunny days
• Open the oven door after baking in winter to capture the remaining heat as it cools down
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Use empty toilet paper rolls as cord holder on hair dryers/curling iron etc

I cut up all my credit cards except one, and I earn travel rewards on all my purchases. The travel rewards are used to buy airline tickets when I fly home. When I purchase something on my credit car, I immediately pay it off, so I don't have a big balance at the end of the  month. This takes some training and commitment, but it has saved me so much money. I really work on keeping my monthly spending in check. I purchase sale items, such as clothes and items for my grandchildren, and even groceries on this card. Having just one card makes life so much easier. I leave my debit cards at home and they are rarely used. 

When I was a child, I learned many valuable lessons from nursery rhymes and Mother-Goose stories. The morals of these stories have influenced my money management skills as an adult! 

1) Planning! The Itsy Bitsy Spider unfortunately did not check the weather before crawling up the water spout! That was a big mistake! I have learned to double-check weekly store flyers and advertisements BEFORE I go shopping! That way, I don’t waste my money and energy!

2) Determination! The Little Engine toots that he “thinks he can!” Yes, I also “think I can” learn to manage my money better by reading AARP tips and watching AARP videos about money management! 

3) Focus on the Goal! The Tortoise and the Hare story has taught me that I must stay focused on my financial goals. Sometimes, it may seem that my financial progress is slow-moving, but I can achieve my goals by sticking to my decisions and not getting distracted (unlike the Hare)!

4) Fraud Awareness! Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma was deceived by a “Big Bad Wolf!” I have learned that I, too, might be deceived by scams and criminals who want to trick me or steal my money! These modern “Big Bad Wolves” are hard to avoid with advancements in social media and technology. I try hard to keep my money safe by using safety precautions and ignoring suspicious calls and emails.

5) Research! The best story about decision-making skills though was the story of the Three Little Pigs! Each pig made a choice about which building material to use to meet his housing needs. However, the 3rd little pig did his research! I, too, feel I need to invest time and effort in planning the best ways to save and invest my money. I feel that by consulting a financial manager, talking to a lawyer about wills and personal financial goals, and reading about financial management tips will help me to manage the money which I have earned. After all, I would not want a “howling wind" to devastate my bank accounts and investments! I want all of my saved “jars of coins” protected! I worked too hard practicing how to save money and use my money wisely, to simply just let it fly away! I envision myself to be persistent like the Little Red Hen (who was able to enjoy the results of her hard work), and not like Old Mother Hubbard (whose cupboard was bare)!

Save your coins i never miss them and it will add up soon then put it in high yield savings account 

My Smart Saver tip---Starting on New Year's Day---Whenever you put an entry in your checkbook/register---round the cents to 00---and keep the amounts even. And at the end of a year calculate how much money you have saved.  I have been doing this for years and it works.  Also, every Sunday beginning at New Year---empty your change from the past week into a money jar or container---and on the last day of the year---count how much money you have saved.  Great savings with both tips.

I always check for senior discounts at fast food restaurants. Saving a buck or so every time we eat out adds up.