AARP Rewards Online Community Budget Contest 2025

[AARPTeri]

Share how you use AARP Rewards as a smart way to stick to your budget and save money for a chance to win! 

Simply reply to this post telling us about how you have been able to reduce the cost of everyday expenses like travel, gifts, fast-casual meals (ex: Chipotle, Dominos, Panera), and/or online purchases and how the AARP Rewards programs have become an easy, low-effort way to stretch your budget further and stay financially mindful.

The contest will run beginning on Monday, May 5th – Friday, May 30, 2025.  Official Rules - https://community.aarp.org/t5/AARP-Rewards-Connect/AARP-Rewards-Online-Community-Budget-Contest-2025...

[BJNoel1973]

I use my rewards points like a lottery ticket to win gift cards. If I win it helps supplement my budget and stretch my savings dollars.

[DebJ964055]

  I use my AARP card to get discounts at restaurants and to reduce the purchase price of gift cards at Christmas. 

[MattisonW79925]

My husband and I are moving soon, we have AARP and that has saved us tremendously when looking for moving trucks. We have also received discounts on hotels for the travel back as well! I have also been looking into going to restaurants that offer discounts. 

[SusanneC67562]

Saved so much $$$ on car rental with AARP. Thanks 

[PjG8523]

Having the AARP  app handy is one thing, and saving rewards points from get a few gift cards also helps !

thanks for asking !

[pr47962296]

I have the AARP app on my phone and always check to see if there is a discount for a restaurant that I am in or am thinking of going to. I ALWAYS check for discounts when buying thickets for the grandkids; Legoland, Sesame....

[NoraM201375]

We make sure we first maximize our 401k contributions and paid off our mortgage, Then we know how much money we have left to work with. We limit eating out and make home cooked meals instead because it is healthier, tastes better and we save lots of money especially with tips. We shop at Aldi and save a lot every week shopping there. We reduce food waste and buy clothing only what we really need or love.

[r387026r]

I keep a monthly budget book since I am kind of a money saving nerd. I actually enjoy keeping track of spending and get excited over the $5 and $10 gift cards that I earn/win from the games, videos and quizzes. I also like the informative videos such as the ones on pickleball.My husband is now doing the Sudoku and trivia games, he enjoys, to earn points.

[LisaN727942]

The free cross word puzzle games save on paper subscriptions to get a daily new game. 

[copple5153]

 I have used AARP Rewards at Burger King- can type in gift card number at pinpad. Better not to print e-gift cards on paper if possible, as printer ink can be expensive.

[MichaelJ152137]

I’ve been able to use AARP discounts at restaurants (Outback and Auntie Anne’s). I also love that after learning new information from a variety of quizzes and videos I can win money saving gift cards to Jersey Mike’s, Macy’s and Hime Depot. I’ve also turned in points for added gift cards at TJMaxx, saving me even more. My kids love that I can get discounted gift cards too.  AARP rewards has saved me real cash and I’m just getting started. 

[KhabirahL945667]

love using my AARP card for discounts when eating out. 

[KennethR549733]

I love using my AARP card for discounts when eating out at Outback and Bonefish. 

[DeniseH356601]

I love using my AARP card for discounts when eating out at Outback and Bonefish. 

[Mijal]

II have mostly been able to save money on groceries and health related items by using the fitness tracker rewards at Walmart. We live in a small town and with very few restaurants so I don't buy gift cards to eat out. The only thing that I can really save on are those things at Walmart that I need and when I book travel online. I did win a few gas cards and those came in handy when I had to travel for medical appointments.  Thank you AARP for all you do to make sure that we are well informed about all the things that concern us. 

[d377998c]

 We have been able to take advantage of the many ways AARP Rewards can help us stick to a budget.  One way is the Rewards Near Me.  There are BOGO's for food, museums, family activities and entertainment.  There are also deep discounts, sometimes up to 25% off in some cases!!  Another great way to keep to a budget is participating in the quizzes and videos to earn points that you can use towards gift cards.  We've been able to eat "on the cheap" just by using points to use on FREE $5 or $10 gift cards.  Every little bit helps!!  AARP is instrumental in helping seniors save money and be informed through the videos and quizzes.  I'm sure there is a good deal of work that AARP puts into getting the gift cards from merchants and finding resources for the videos and quizzes!  This is MUCH appreciated!  Thank you for all you do, AARP!!

[BJHillcal]

  I do my best to monitor grocery store sales and purchase accordingly -- avoid as much impulse buying as possible.  I also enjoy taking advantage of "free" opportunities from AARP (such as Movies for Grownups) and local events -- you don't have to lose out on fun activities when you are watching your pennies.

[duckaflack]

My situation is two-fold.  First, a large number of the AARP web articles have direct and/or indirect application to my household or personal finances/budget.  I try my best to read these articles and see how they fit with my current and future plans.  Second, I take a careful initial review of each reward that AARP offers, and determine if it's applicable to my current spending habits.  If it's applicable, then yes, I will take advantage of it.  What I don't want to do is to purchase rewards that are outside of the scope of my budgeted spending habits.  So, I would consider my usage of AARP Rewards to be very strategic when it comes which ones I will take advantage of. 

[BrendaS287177]

I am saving more because I joined AARP United Healthcare and the perks help me save. 

[KaciaM41528]

I like to earn points through my fitness tracker and by watching videos and completing quizzes. I’m trying to buy only essentials these days since I’m working less, and the small gift cards I can get with rewards are helpful for small fun purchases.

[JenniferG53033]

I use a spending tracking app. Once I’ve reached my monthly allotment for a category such as eating out and I don’t spend any more in that category. Every couple months I review my monthly spending totals and identify patterns.

[KellyW361293]

We tend to use our AARP card everywhere, and when we eat out, we select restaurants that take it.  I do most of the shopping online and will try to select stores to which I can apply the AARP card. We don't go out much to eat out, but prefer to cook at home, so it is a little gift to ourselves when we do get to use the AARP card, because we know that every dollar counts. The site also helps us stay informed and safe, and it is very easy to understand how to use. Security is very important these days, more than ever.

[MichaelJ779767]

Making conscious efforts to eat out way less 

[Sach12]

I like reading the fraud watch articles and mentioning the latest scams to friends. I like to think it helps keep us aware of potential risks.

[m471312b]

I use my rewards points to buy gift cards and enter contests. Plus, I enjoy learning new things

along the way!

[SandraH51096]

Ditto like the previous replies. Earning points & using gift cards and the information learned to stretch our budget and keep aware of the changes. Thanks so much for updating our skills to navigate the changes.

[JaniceD954449]

We have used AARP recipes to create a special theme night dinner.  We go all out to  create a meal featuring a type of cuisine (i.e Ethiopian, Greek, Italian) or a theme ( 50’s, beach in winter, fine dining) .  This can be done much more economically and healthily than dining out but it feels really special.

[KetniaS251362]

I have loved entering the instant win for gift cards. I have earned about $45 and use the gift cards to lower the amount I pay out of pocket at the stores. I haven't won a sweepstakes yet but am still entering 

[CmM191899]

I collect points for gift cards that I use for myself or give as gifts for occasions. I also purchase the discounted gift cards to save a little money on things I would purchase anyway. 

[EdwardP429197]

When I make purchases I have the change going into a savings account. From there, I can decide where I want to move the money too. Also buying what I need at the grocery store versus what I want. Staying off of the shopping sites online. Recycling and up cycling outfits