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AARPTeri
AARPTeri
Community Manager
March 19, 2026

AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

  • March 19, 2026
  • 728 replies
  • 96602 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 

    728 replies

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    WendyW458886
    Contributor ⭐
    April 17, 2026

    We do errands the farthest out then work our way to home so it saves time ⏲️ and gas ⛽️. 

      W
      WendyW458886
      Contributor ⭐
      April 17, 2026

      We save by shutting lights off in rooms we aren't in and put nightlight in hallways to keep blaring lights off there as well.  The nightlight shut off with the sun automatically to save electricity 💡. 

      C
      cl4480
      Contributor ⭐
      April 17, 2026
      1. I belong to the community farm coop near me. Saves me great deal of money on fresh produce all summer AND helps me connect with other gardening enthusiasts 
      2. Composting helps me save on soil amendments 
      3. I refuse to purchase new when I am able to “reduce/reuse/recycle” 😊
        J
        jameseshay
        Contributor ⭐
        April 17, 2026

        Follow up with your county real estate assessors office. Make sure you are enrolled in all real estate exemptions that you are allowed to.. I.e. homeowners exemption/ senior Freeze exemption etc. And note some of these need to be applied for annually!

          A
          AndreaR434492
          Contributor ⭐
          April 17, 2026

          Tip:  If you are still working regardless of how low or high your salary is, put a % of it in a 403B or 401K.  Now that I am almost retired I have more of a safety net.  

            B
            blondman
            Contributor ⭐
            April 17, 2026

            clipping digital coupons for my grocery store saved me over $2000 last year. Easy and simple to do. 

              D
              DougM405780
              Contributor ⭐
              April 17, 2026

              Thining about a car, look at used electric vehicles. They are very inexpensive now. 

              Maintenance is cheaper. 

              If you have a regular outlet you can use at home that is likely to cover all your driiving. It is like having a gas station at home.

              D
              DougM405780
              Contributor ⭐
              April 17, 2026

              Thinking about a car, look at used electric vehicles, they are quite inexpensive now.

                R
                ratrace
                Contributor ⭐
                April 17, 2026

                Use coupons when shopping; save you lose changeable and small bills, for big ticket items shop around

                  M
                  MaryC413441
                  Contributor ⭐
                  April 17, 2026

                  Keep an eye out for stores that offer a health incentive.  Often you can connect your fitness tracker, set goals, and complete challenges to earn rewards.  Rewards can be a discounted item or free products.  It's a win - win!  

                    V
                    VictoriaH807312
                    Contributor ⭐
                    April 17, 2026

                    strategy for saving money is to "PAY YOURSELF FIRST"

                    Automate transfers from your checking account to a high-yield savings account.

                    Reduce temptation by moving the money before you have a chance to spend it.

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