AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

 I love doing the AARP quizzes and videos to earn points for gift cards. I also have a couple of apps on my phone that record steps to get points. The points can be redeemed for gift cards. My favorite one is to get Starbucks gift cards so that when I'm with grandchildren, I don't feel like I'm spending money for those high-priced drinks! My walking gets most of them for free!!

See if your town has an "Everything is Free" Facebook group. It's free to join and a great way to both get useful items and perhaps more importantly give away useful items. If your town doesn't have such a group, you could always start one 🙂

For everything that isn't an absolute need, consider how important it really is. Wait a few days. Are you still thinking about it? How much do you will you use it? Is it worth the energy (petroleum)  to be made, packaged & transported?.

Stick to my budget by making a list before shopping and only buying the items on the list.  I only buy what I need.

To save money be flexible.  Before going shopping make a list with alternatives, then buy the product that has the lower or special price.  If you can buy extra.  Making sure you know  that you will be able to use the goods before a spoilage date.  

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@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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My husband and I bought a small freezer to put in the garage. When meats, veggies, deserts, etc. are on sale, we stock up. I label and date everything from seasonal fruits to marinated fish and vacuum seal for future use. ( By the way, celery will not freeze well!) Of course this is all purchased with a Discover card for an added "cash back discount" to be used for bringing down a heavy spending month's bill. I use the cash back card to pay for utilities, gas, just about everything and pay it entirely each month. No interest charges for us!

 Intentional spending has been a real game changer for me. I started downsizing a couple of years ago and realized how much I spent on 'mindless' purchases. I have a set amount of 'mad money' that I set aside each month and it forces me to really think about how I spend. I also enjoy the rewards points (AARP and others). Combined with using apps and reward points - I can boost my pool of mad money. For example, I saved over the course of a year enough rewards to purchase all the plants needed for my lavender garden this year. This allowed me to set a goal for a hobby and focus on one project, vs mindless spending on 'stuff for someday'. I have less clutter, more time, more money and projects that are fulfilling. 

Beginning in January throughout the year, each week deposit to a savings account the number of that week in he year; e.g. $1 for week one, $2 for week two, $52 for week 52. By the end of the year, you will have saved  $1,419 at year's end. A simple affordable habit to develop.

Don't try to keep up with trends.  Buy quality products and keep them until they wear out.