AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

This is a simple strategy that works well for seniors living alone, as well as single individuals, empty-nesters, and couples. When I shop for groceries in particular, I only purchase items that will fit into the child seat of the shopping cart. That keeps me focused on exactly what I need. It helps to avoid overbuying items and quantities that I don't really need.

   I love having fresh fruit with my oatmeal, cottage cheese, etc. But often the fruit were go bad before I could use it up, and it would end up gping to waste. Now I use mostly frozen fruits, they work just as well for eating "fresh," with ice cream, cottage cheese, cereal, baking etc. But I only take out as much as I want and the rest stays fresh and frozen for as long as needed. It actually works out much cheaper with less waste than buying fresh!

 I clip all the digital coupons from my grocery store website even if I don't plan on buying the item right then. I also use apps for store and restaurants to rack up points for discounts.

• When my grandkids visited, I checked out a museum pass from the library which admitted the family of five to the museum for FREE!
• I take my nephew to the library for zoo programs featuring live animals for FREE!
• My husband and I participate in the summer and winter reading programs at the library, and we receive t-shirts, mugs, books, candy bars, novelty items for FREE! My husband won a grand prize which included a gift card, electric S'mores kit, and full-size fire pit.
• We play Bingo at the library each month and have won a Roku stick, $10 Walmart gift cards, $25 restaurant gift cards, and dozens of "Book Bucks" that are spendable in the library's used Book Store for FREE!
• I attended a 4-week cooking class at the library with all supplies provided for FREE!
• I "checked out" seeds from the library and grew my own herbs and vegetables for FREE! The library also provides a community garden area for patrons.
• I utilized the library's notary services several times for FREE!
• I watch TV shows, movies, documentaries, and learning classes on DVDs or stream through Hoopla and Kanopy for FREE!
• I check out hard-copy/audio books, digital newspapers/magazines, and jigsaw puzzles for FREE! I always use the digital access to Consumer Reports to do research before we make any large purchases.
• The library also has educational activity kits, fishing poles, electronic/board games, cake pans, fishing poles, and Halloween costumes available for me to check out for FREE!
• I would highly recommend that you check out your local library for FREE!

Enter to Action@AARPTeri

Go to the mailbox, and what do I see?

It's the magazine from AARP!

Ideas, deals and much, much more,

Like how to save when I go to the store.

Take a breath; do I need that new dress?

Should I buy the latest vacuum to clean up my mess?

Where will I put this fancy, must-have knick-knack?

Doomed to be a “treasure” of which I lose track.

I ask myself these questions to resist the impulse to buy,

And all that bling-bling that catches my eye.

Minimize, downsize, every penny counts.

I try to look around for the best discounts.

A staycation instead of a bank-breaking trip;

The extra money could go towards my new hip!

But if adventure calls and that luxury cruise is a must…

I’ll use AARPShopItNow.com for deals that I trust!

As bright-eyed and frankly, financially clueless newlyweds, our beloved neighbors dropped this nugget of financial brilliance : " Every time you get a raise , don't let that extra cash flow become pocket change. It's way too easy to blow it on things that won't improve your quality of life. Have your employer automatically ACH it straight into a high-yield savings account or into a brokerage account, before you even touch it. " 

We actually listened and following their advice faithfully.  I was a hardworking garbageman in San Francisco at that time. Fast forward 40 years and that stashed away nest egg will allow us to enjoy time traveling together in retirement.

Forgive my pun, but I hope this money saving advice helps your AARP Community turn their " Trash" into "Treasures" .  

Really need to save money? Kids will nickle and dime you to death! Get rid of your ATM card! It will not only save you money, but if your child wants money for a movie with friends, write them a check! This will force them to plan! They'll have to have current identification; Need to get to the bank before it closes; They'll learn how to write a check; and above all, if you don't have cash in the house or in your purse/wallet, they'll learn to stop asking you for money! 

we always try to save money, but quality counts too.  So I often compare different brands.  Generally, if I go to Costco, I get good quality for less, thanks to the good buyers of Costco.  I like getting the family sizes, but freeze in smaller portions if able (such as meats).  Their rotisserie chicken is obviously the best buy on the planet as their mission is to continue to offer it at 5 dollars, you can't beat that price anywhere.  I know they lose money on the chicken but make up for it elsewhere. Get the chicken, that's one meal and then use the bones to make bone broth (simmer it for 10 hours). You get two meals for 5 bucks!!

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