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... 

[MiguelP817586]

I join the rewards programs from all the places that I shop at to get the best prices and deals. I also use apps to scan my receipts and get points back to exchange for gift cards. I always look for coupons and or offers before going shopping.

[mz4814]

I do menu planning for the week once our local markets’ Weekly Ads come out. I save money planning meals based on what’s on sale, plus I get menu planning inspiration. Cooking from scratch is a creative outlet for me that saves me money and allows me to eat more healthy foods. 

[caro1g]

I check the grocery store ads for BOGO deals and that's what I buy and eat for the week. Bonus: trying foods I wouldn't have if not for the sale.

[GAKKIEZ]

I use my credit union Bill Pay to pay bills or send monetary gifts/loans to my children/grandchildren. I save lots of money by not paying postage!  My credit union Bill Pay allows me to set up to pay on the schedule I choose and not early withdrawal of funds.  If you have the bank account info for a specific person you can even set the Bill Pay up for electronic transfer (instead of them mailing a check) of funds as fast as an old fashioned wire transfer without the additional cost!  The biggest drawback is a daily limit of $5000.00. 

[Boddy53]

Always staying alert to bargain shopping,comparing prices and avoiding impulse purchases is what has helped over the last 20 years of retirement. AARP suggestions are good also ! 

[LucyA37156]

My husband and I limit how often we eat out, and try to buy groceries mostly from the outside aisles (fresh fruit, veggies, dairy, et), and avoid ultra processed foods.  We also limit meat purchases.

[PIFA123]

These are the things I do to save money. I negotiate my direct tv and Cox internet plus land line every year. I call them up and request my loyalty discount. I looked at my cell phone bill a few weeks ago at 50 bucks a month and said hell no. Thanks to AARP I went with consumer cellular for 19 bucks a month instead. My central air conditioner I have a gizmo on there that SCE put on it. When they need the electricity they can turn it off. I get a big summer discount. No I don't bake I just use my many fans. Yes it is hot in CA but if it is too hot I will leave and go to the beach, go window shopping, or to a movie. Like every one else I use coupons for food at the many markets in my city. I compare prices. I transferred money a few months ago from an money market account I paid tax on to my brokerage account and he got me one that I can't be taxed on called PRCXX Hernies and I bought a NUV bond that I pay no fed tax just state tax. I hope this gives you some new ideas. I try to live below my means. I am a widow and age 70.

[an7130]

I put part of each paycheck in a separate high yield savings account that I don't access for everyday expenses. 

[CindyS214419]

Save money  on gas in April with Amazpn on Fridays using Earnify

[MichaelS115484]

I use a few browser extensions for cash back. I always compare them, and then close the tabs and wait a couple hours or overnight. Often, I’ll get bonus offers from Capital One Dhopping or Retailmenot (sometimes as much as 30% back) just by waiting. 

[CatherineM62086]

Join CVS extracare plus. $48 yearly fee. You get $10 month coupon and extra savings on CVS brands.

[GraceM702873]

During the warm months I close my blinds so the sun does not heat up the house so the air has to run all the time. It really helps...keeps it cooler inside 

I also make my own ice tea saves lot of money on sugar drinks and its all good 

raise the temp on the air by a notch or so saves you  

do all the little things to save here and there 

gtm707@aol.com

[DebraB208562]

I use my rewards points to purchase gift cards for PetSmart for pet food, and gift cards to local restaurants for friends and family for gifts. This saves me a considerable amount of money!

[mr50013685]

I book my travel early so prices don't go up, but I reprice my flights weekly and I am not afraid to rebook to save. 

[JenniferH724003]

I utilize my AARP membership to save on fuel and one of the ways is with Pilot Flying J. In AARP Rewards, I earn points learning, watching videos and playing games, then redeem the points when the Pilot Flying J gift card is available. I also purchase discounted Pilot Flying J gift cards in the Rewards center then load them into the Pilot Flying J app for safe keeping (I don't have to worry about my debit/credit card info being swiped at the pump). I'm a member of the Pilot Flying J rewards program (it's free!) and save 10 cents a gallon when fueling up (I just need to remember to activate that offer at the beginning of each month). The savings add up over time. 

[TTangoLima]

Nearly everything I wear and every piece of furniture in my home comes from a second hand store or the "used" section on ebay and other websites. 

[TammieD524471]

i have money taken out of my checking every 2 weeks when I get paid and move it to my savings.  It adds up and you can have a nice savings after a while with no effort.  

[MindyR638489]

At the end of each day, take all your change and put it into a jar/container.  When it's full, take it to a coin machine to redeem.  You will be amazed how much you will have saved!  And it's quite painless!

Mindy

[kamiler571734]

The coin machines such as coin star usually take up to 10% of the countd value so please take it to the bank to save yourself the extra fees charged by the coin machines.

[SereneSeagull]

Yes @MindyR638489 It does add up quickly!  

Those change machines charge fees.  Take it to one’s own bank if they take loose or rolled coins.  

[KerryO722609]

I have a Credit Union (highly recommend - no fees!) and they have a coin machine and as long as you deposit it (which you can immediately withdraw), it’s free to use. No fuss with rolling, although they will also give you wrappers for free if you ask.

[ReginaldT760804]

Pay attention at the grocery checkout when you are using coupons (especially digital coupons) to make sure you are getting the discount. Too many times I have had to get the clerks to change the original price to the discount price because the store system was not setup correctly or just did not have the programed discount in the system. People who do not pay attention are being overcharged...save you money! 

Reginald

[lucrob]

Join all the free rewards accounts you can to get coupons and deals sent to your phone or email in order to get savings .

[lynnmartin11]

If you have your groceries delivered you should order early for the best delivery rates and the freshest deli products 

[RoxannD527016]

 I use credit unions for their high yield checking accounts. They have requirements like have at least one ACH transaction each month, e-statements, and make 10-20 debit card purchases each month. I earn between 5.0 - 6.75% interest. That adds up to about $250 interest per month to pay for groceries and incidentals.

[BetsyC33]

When I go grocery shopping, I bring a very large cooler bag and shop with it, rather than a cart. It encourages only buying necessities, rather than impulse purchases. When it's a heavy 2 gallons of milk day, it is also a good workout. 

[JamiM341038]

I use deals and coupons, but I save my change, roll it and store the cash. Great vacation fund or Christmas fund!

[la7654627]

My local grocery store marks down meat when close to sale date by sometime 1/2 off, I buy and freeze for later use.  I rarely pay for meat at full price.

[b598259l]

I also always used earned points to redeem gift certificates on AARP Rewards!

[b598259l]

Some of the ways I save big on grocery shopping, is that 1) my husband is the one who goes to the grocery store (I impulse buy; he doesn't). 2) He keeps a list on his phone (we add to it as we run out) (so we aren't buying extras that aren't needed), and 3) we always review the weekly ads from our local grocery stores (additional shopping savings, and save on gas, since shop local).