AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

[AARPTeri]

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... 

[BevertC707927]

AWAY T SAVE MONEY IS TO BUDGET.  DON'T BUY ANYTHING NOT NECESSARY IF YOU CAN'T PAY FOR IT WITH CASH.  CHARGE CARDS ADD UP QUICK AND CAN GET YOU INTO TROUBLE.

[kf2304]

 Utilize your local library, not just to take out books or download on line, but to buy books. Most local libraries have book sales every few months. Attend one, bring a big bag. hardovers usually 2 dollars, paperback a dollar, all kinds of books, biographies, cookbooks, classics,mysteries, thrillers, fiction, non-fiction, large print etc.

When finished reading your books, keep the cycle going...you could 

1) pass along or exchange books with friends

2) give back to library so that they could use them in their next book sale (and therefore generate more funds for your local library, generally sorely in need of funds given cut budgets)

3) donate books to other organizations who use them for needy causes

  I donate mine back to AAUW local chapter, who runs book sale every year, collecting books from folks for two weeks, then holds event, with small entrance fee, where people come and buy books. All volunteer, and all proceeds, go to provide local scholarships for high school senior girls in need of funds to purchase their college books

4) donate books to other libraries, like school libraries (public) or non -public (parochial schools, etc.). to "beef up" their libararies.They are always welcome.

It's a great way to read cheap, and give back, and everyone wins.

[dianahunter]

There are stores around that will "buy" your used paperbacks and some hardbacks (only certain kinds - textbooks, for instance, are NOT eligilble). They either pay you directly (discounted price - not full price you paid) OR, as with my favorite local store in Denver, they'll give you credits towards buying another book in their inventory (kept in an account - don't have to buy another book during same visit). Sometimes you can just use the credits for whole "purchase" and sometimes it's a combo of credits and some cash. Either way, keeps books out of landfill and you can indulge in fun read paperbacks for a greatly reduced price! Ones that might not be available in the local library.

[MariaK113398]

My library has an annual book sale and on the last day paperbacks are 5 for a dollar or fill a bag for $5. I buy the books which helps the library and when I am done reading them I donate them back. They also have DVD's as well.

[SereneSeagull]

💯 agree.  @kf2304 

 Local bookstore and library lover myself!

[df65392368]

I used my credit card thank you reward points for gift cards to give for birthday and the holidays, Also, every month they offer 3-4 gift cards for lower points.  Makes my gift giving manageable. 

[BenedictZ81551]

We discovered facebook MarketPlace and used it to buy used but needed items at lower cost. Now we're also using it sell unneeded "clutter." The used market is a great savings opportunity.

[SereneSeagull]

I know many people who use that quite a bit.  I never have.  Sounds great.

[kf2304]

Christmas decorations are so expensive, but it's fairly easy to make some of your own.

Here's one idea I do every year.

On Black Friday, at Lowes/Home Depot, they have fresh balsam wreaths for approximately 8 dollars a wreath with red velvet bow. I buy 10 of them. Prior to that, go to dollar store and buy bunch of christmas decorations on wall (all kinds, bells, reindeer, poinsettia flowers, - some have little clips on them- these are great. get a bunch of them.

Bring wreaths home and decorate your wreaths by clipping or tying the decorations into the wreath, about 5 or  on each one. Use bread ties, or fishing line to wrap around twigs in breath - it blends in. 

Now you have decorated wreaths at cost of about 13 dollars a wreath , for yourself, to give ot neighbors, and I use mine to put on family cemetery sites (Much cheaper than 40 dollar grave "blankets" that are sold...

Also you can recycle the ornaments from year to year...

[SereneSeagull]

@kf2304 , I see quite a number of crafters like yourself taking advantage of dollar store items to use for their creations.  Very creative people.  👍

[kf2304]

  It's that time of year again- spring cleaning. Save money by making your own cleaning solutions with materials you have in your home. They are cheaper, better for environment (no volatile organic compounds), and easy to make. Here are three of my favorites  

1) General cleaning solution - 1 part white vinegar, 1 part water, lemon rind - put in dollar store spray bottle and clean - best if you let sit for day or two for lemon to soak in

2) cleaning glass/windows- 1 cup water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon dish soap (Dawn- blue kind- always use blue kind- other colors have added chemicals in them to make them yellow, clear etc).  Put in spray bottle. Spray glass /window....wipe with newspapers

3) For stubborn counter stains, bathroom stains etc. - make thick paste with water and baking soda.  let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Scrub with sponge...or brillo pad......works like a charm

These items are non carcinogenic (non cancer causing), contain no volatile organic compounds and therefore are more sustainable (more sustainable than the products out there that claim to be eco friendly) and you usually have all the ingredients in your kitchen.

[Estoley1]

A plug in hybrid allows me to limit my gas use, except on long trips for seeing our great country.  On those trips, I have loyalty membership in a lot of gas providers so I never pay full price.

[stodd24]

Put an affordable amount in savings every month without fail.  Even small amounts add up.

[dianahunter]

And start doing so as soon as you have any money! Saving (and then investing for long term) from a very young age makes tiny amounts VERY big over the decades!

[SereneSeagull]

Teaching about investing early, yes! @dianahunter .  

[DeniseG440432]

I’m retired, but still working as a substitute teacher. As much as possible, I use my earnings there to pay more on the last of my debt. I add up all my annual bills (property tax, car and motorcycle insurance, and similar), estimated expenses for vehicle and home maintenance, and other non-monthly costs that can be substantial. Divide that amount by 12.  That gives me how much to transfer automatically out of my main checking account into another account that earns a bit of interest. When, say, vehicle insurance comes due, I have the money to pay it in full. That saves a few dollars that would be charged by the insurance company if I paid monthly plus the bit of interest earned from the account it was stored in. The separate account also keeps me from forgetting it is earmarked for a future expense and spending it elsewhere.  

I ride my motorcycle as much as I can for work, errands, and just because. The premium gas required is more expensive, but I use much less gas than in my car so I save money in the long run. It’s way more fun than driving my SUV, too. BONUS! 

[PatriciaN604829]

Here's a few saving tips I do:  I make up my own window cleaning solution:  Vinegar and water in a bottle and only use brown paper towels to wipe glass clean& streak free. I run a Himalayan salt lamp to clean air. 

[SereneSeagull]

Vinegar is great for a lot of cleaning tasks, agree.

[copple5153]

   For 2026, the IRS may be bringing back the charitable deduction for filers that do not itemize. If you take the standard deduction, save your receipts for cash given to charity- it may help reduce your tax burden.

[dianahunter]

I believe the amount you can deduct is up to $1,000 without having to itemize. Starting with 2026.

[gonzan15]

I save half of my meals when dinning out for the next day. I turn leftovers into different meal options for the next day. I also cook extra pasta so it becomes dinner for the next couple of days. I use sauces from takeout as marinades for meats. I’m saving to pay bills.

[dianahunter]

Also better for your health, as restaurant meals can sometimes be HUGE! And, as my sister always did, set aside the "take-home" half at the very beginning, right when it is served to you (either bring a container from home or ask for a "doggy bag" container right off). Otherwise, if you're anything like me, you'll pick away at the food idly, eating more than half of the whole thing while chatting at the table!

[dianahunter]

Oh, and I like to bring my own reusable containers. Keeps stuff out of trash/landfill AND helps the restaurant's bottom line, as they don't have to spend money on the throwaway containers!

Might not do at a fancy restaurant, but I never go to them these days! Too expensive AND I and my friends are much too casual. Ha!

[JanetZ459984]

I have just recently discovered the AARP Rewards Program and I am still learning to navigate around.  I am enjoying reading others comments for saving money.  What a good way to learn, and save, more money!

[SereneSeagull]

Enjoy!  

[dianahunter]

I inherited frugality from my parents (they were kids during the Depression). I clip coupons, both paper and digital. I join every reward program that I will use (restaurants, grocery stores, Walmart, Amazon - occasionally, not continually, movie theaters, travel companies, etc.) and game the rewards programs to gather points without spending too much money (or ever spending on stuff I DON'T need!). I plan my driving to cut my mileage as much as possible (group errands by location), so I am a VERY LOW mileage driver, which gets me a huge discount on my insurance. Helps that I am retired, so I don't have to commute anymore. I keep things as long as possible - car, clothing, furniture, etc. - I am NOT a person who has to have the latest thing as soon as it comes out. As others have mentioned, I take advantage of ALL the birthday freebies I can and, being a Veteran, I enjoy all the freebies on Veterans Day! I answer ALL service surveys sent by restaurants and stores afte a purchase - that very often leads to MORE discounts or freebies as thanks for doing the surveys! I plan for deals on streaming services (mostly the biggies arrive around Black Friday) and never pay full price for any streaming. I don't have cable (don't need more incentive to sit like a couch potato, watching tv all the time). I'm lucky, as I live in a high floor apartment that faces towards the tv antenna towers in Denver, so I can get lots of free channels with a $20 antenna plugged into my old tv. My friends and I always go to LUNCH istead of dinner at restaurants - less expensive at lunch! Same with matinees of movies during the week - much cheaper than night time showings. I buy gift cards for all places I patronize - this not only gets me loads of rewards points at Safeway and KIng Soopers, it also keeps me from having to spread my credit card info all over the place! If a company has a security breach, all the thieves get from me is the gift card info!

Saving money and working the system is like a game for me - once you get the hang of it, it really doesn't take a lot of extra time to do all these things.

[dianahunter]

Oh - and I ALWAYS enter the sweepstakes and instant wins on AARP! haven't won any of the big ones, but have won many $10 gift cards over the years.

[SereneSeagull]

Hi @dianahunter , would love to know, do you get them without points or points for those? 

[dianahunter]

I use points. Used to go through the motions to enter without points, but don't bother with that anymore. Just do lots of quizzes (and a few videos) to earn points. You?

[hicks4000]

I shop to sales offered to loyalty card holders, and only buy what I need. For instance, every Wednesday when Albertson's new ad drops I go through and see if anything I use is on sale and clip the coupon. I make a list with the sales prices (so I can verify) and only get what's on it. This saves me between 40-70% each time I shop for food. I also occasionally find a great deal at Smith's with my loyalty card. 

I also joined Circle K's inner circle. About once a month, they offer 40 cents a gallon off gas so I fill up on those days. I joined AAA and use their repair shops so save 10% on all repairs and I know they are completed with premium parts at a fair price.

I sign up for various restaurant loyalty offers and the month of your birthday most of them offer free food.

I rarely if ever buy new clothes. You can find amazing, sometimes designer clothes, at thrift stores. Plus buying used helps the environment.

I shop the Dollar Store for reading glasses, greeting cards (some still 50 cents!) and shampoos, etc. I always price-check against Walmart. For instance, rubbing alcohol at Walmart, $3.68 for 32 oz. I can get two 16 oz bottles at Dollar Tree for $1.25 each or $2.50.

And I use Great Clips for my haircuts. They send coupons out in the weekly flyers or by email once a month or so that offer haircuts for $10.99 so I watch for those.