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...

[KellytheBelly]

'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.'

Looking forward to the winner announcement. I mean the story that wins. So cool.

[Winter2025VA]

[Friday 6/6/25]

(1) @AARPTeri , have the WINNERS been selected? 🤔

(2) Lol, I doubt I will win but miracles do happen.  😉  CONGRATS IF YOU WON!!!  🙃

[AARPTeri]

@Winter2025VA   We have chosen winners and are awaiting replies from them before posting them here.  Thank you for participating!

[Winter2025VA]

@AARPTeri , thank you for responding!!!  💛

[bettyinTX]

Stick to one weekend each month for casual lunch out. If possible split meal into two so I can have it for Saturday and Sunday.  Super thrifty! 😁

[SabihaB497264]

Hello, the rewards program is getting to be too tedious. At the beginning I enjoyed winning and working toward five dollars gift cards. Now I find these five dollars gift cards tedious and too expensive for copy paper and printer ink that's needed for printing them. Don't get me wrong, I had such a trill at winning that it was good. Anyway, accumulating points these days also has become very difficult. The rewards page definitely could use some changes. Also the rest of AARP articles, etc. are super. Holidays hidden prizes are also super. But not so fun when you have about three thousand points only.

[rg335]

If an item I regularly use is on sale, I buy more, often using AARP reward gift cards

[awellek]

    I have used the sweepstakes I have won for  gifts. I also have used them for shopping at various stores. 

[mikeandlavada]

 The AARP Rewards program has been a tremendous help keeping me financially mindful and helping me stretch my budget. My savings adventure begins with the "learning and earning" opportunities. Many of the videos and quizzes provide useful information on how to maximize my money. They provide suggestions on how to save money on a wide variety of topics including groceries, utilities, and car purchases. I can choose my favorite exercise videos for daily workouts and eliminate paying for a gym membership. I no longer need to purchase Sudoku and Crossword puzzle books as I can now play these games (and so many more!) online while earning reward points. One of the videos explained how to search for unclaimed property using missingmoney.com, and my search revealed an unclaimed life insurance policy for a family member that had passed in 1989. After earning AARP reward points, I continue my savings adventure as I "redeem and save". I play the Instant Win games daily and have won free gift cards. I purchased dozens of gift cards using my reward points or paying a discount rate that have really helped me stretch my budget. I used these cards to save money on groceries, OTC medication, gas, home improvement, office supplies, home decor, clothing, and restaurants. I redeemed points to receive four different magazine subscriptions and look forward to subscribing to the Dove Streaming Channel in the near future. You can also save lots of money by using points to purchase e-cards for birthdays and all types of special occasions. I hope the AARP Rewards program will continue providing these learning opportunities to help me stay financially mindful and savings opportunities to help reduce the cost of my everyday expenses! Thank you💲💲💲

[WebWiseWoman]

I've been able to lower my grocery and necessary purchases bills with Walmart and Amazon gift cards until recently, when those gift cards are glaringly absent from monthly point purchase availability.

Before 20-Jan-2025, these savings were regular for AARP Members; not infrequently and terribly random.

Thanks, @aarp for the savings before now; I was able to afford eggs and TP then. Now, not so much...

#StaySafe

[lj9807492]

 I just looked at my AARP rewards savings, and it shows that, since I've been a member, I've saved over $1200. Using my reward points to get gift card discounts with gas, grocery, hotel, clothing, and restaurants adds up to a pretty penny in savings. I also used my points to purchase an online estate planning service, which saved me the cost of paying an estate lawyer to draft the very same forms. If you haven't checked out the "local savings,' you'd be surprised to see how many places in your area offer AARP discounts. The quizzes/tools and calculators have taught me a lot about my health, my well-being, and if my financial picture is on track for retirement. And the videos, especially the ones that focus on technology, have taught this old dog some new tricks, and saved me a few trips to the mobile phone store. Learn something new, while accumulating points at the same time! So, actually, the $1200 gift card/instant win savings balance is just one area where I've benefited from being an AARP rewards member. Thank you!

[SammieM885997]

Three of my household members (myself included) are AARP members.  We each used our points this month to get gift cards for Bonefish Grill.  We placed our order online for a family bundle to go which is already really reasonable considering the items included.  We used the gift cards to make it an even better deal.  If we would have went in to place the order, we could have saved even more by showing our AARP membership card to receive a discount.    Thank you so much for offering the AARP Rewards program.  

[Mattson]

I buy discounted gift cards through AARP and also use the travel service to save when booking a hotel.

[d918842c]

I use my grocery store card whenever I shop and save the rewards points for gas. This month I filled my car's gas tank up for 11c a gallon!

[KurtG69662]

I have used a number of the gift cards to save on travel and some dining expenses. For example, I am on a quest to ride all the rails Amtrak serves. I buy the USA Rail Pass in the spring while on sale and use Amtrak gift cards to pay for it. I also buy Uber gift cards to pay for my local transit on those trips.

[BethF7747]

  I use AARP coupons and often utilize their specific discounts at the designated stores. I can often pair that with the special discounted days of the retailer. Many shops offer senior discounts on specific days of the week. You need to ask the stores what days these are as many times it's not posted. Layering these discounts can be huge on big ticket items. Just ask your retailers what days are designated for seniors and shop away. I also use my AARP reward points for purchasing gift cards or use them to enter into the AARP sweepstakes instant wins. Unfortunately, I haven't won on any of the instant sweepstakes as of yet. But, you can't win if you don't play....

[RichardW910345]

Good reminders of many common-sense avenues towards financial consciousness and the achievement of savings.

[CaraJ561833]

Using points for travel. Discounted gift cards for all sorts of stuff I am going to spend money on anyway.  Stocking up on groceries when on sale. Unplugging electronic devices when not in use. 

[Boddy53]

I’ve been couponing over 50 years; rebates are super easy & makes a difference in my budget each & every month! Makes me happy to see savings with minimal effort.

Love seeing newbies do the same!

[DawnneP502571]

We use AARP rewards and the local discounts for everyday expenses, food, dinner, clothing, entertainment, travel and gifts.  We saved Zappos and DSW gift cards and bought two pairs of new sandals last summer.  We saved up Kohl's gift cards and bought some essentials during a sale event.  We saved up our Outback Restaurant gift cards and took friends out to dinner a few months ago.  My husband and I also volunteer for several non-profits supporting seniors and veterans and have used our rewards gift cards to purchase pizza their events.  We are currently saving Bass Pro Shop gift cards for some outdoor clothing and supplies. The AARP Rewards program has been a blessing.  Thank you.

[TimothyM189488]

My wife uses many of the AARP Rewards gift certificates, but my favorites are Home Depot and Lowes.  Thank you for also offering my favorites.

[DebraM623198]

 My wife uses many of the gift certificates, but my favorites are Home Depot and Lowes - thanks for including my favorites as well as hers.

[DebraM623198]

 I use the Rewards gift cards to buy things I need.  For example, this year I needed a new winter coat.  With the Columbia AARP Reward gift cards, I was able to buy the coat I wanted at less than half price by ordering the coat on sale from Columbia and using the Rewards Columbia gift certificates for even more savings.  AARP Rewards are great - I hope they continue this program for a long time.  

[thetoonmeister]

Discounted travel gift cards.

[ErikaB468165]

We're planning a vacation this summer and were able to book a car rental with a good discount and all this within our first week of joining!

[kdb1027]

I look for store discounts and ask the store for senior discounts.

[savvybrownrose]

I have saved money with the website. I used digital coupons on days that the grocery stores had discounts.  It is so beneficial for me. Even have my nana babies help me with reminding me to look here before I do a thing. 

[ld15967967]

I love the top tips and current events  I have gift cards for many gifts savings especially guy interests and gas cards I always look to rewards when we are planning a night out. Saving money adds up. I also like doing the week in news quiz to check my memory!

[gbq133]

I belong to many survey sites and redeem points for gift cards, paypal cash discounts on most used items. I belong to retailers loyalty programs saving money . Use weekly flyers clipping coupons and shopping on days that give me the most bang for my hard earned dollar