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... 

[BrutusMoswoggler]

 I comparison shop for the best deal on a product using yahoo, google, or other shopping comparison tools for the lowest total price.  Then I search the web for coupon codes to see if I can find a further discount.  Then I determine if the website has a rewards program and I sign up for it.  Then I check with AARP and see if I can obtain a discounted gift card by using AARP Points or by simply purchasing a discounted gift card.

[bb16267006]

I so appreciate the 3 gift cards that I am able to redeem each month--thank you! 

My husband and I also garden during the summer months and freeze what we can to carry us over through the winter. Produce from our garden tastes so much better and is healthier for you, too!

[SereneSeagull]

@bb16267006 What produce do you grow?  I’m imagining fantastic tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, maybe?

[karenc390368]

Hi.  I believe the best deal going is buying a rotisserie chicken at Sam's club or Costco.  I warm it up, and have my favorite pieces for dinner.  One night I have a chicken salad.  Then I make a delicious chicken vegetable  or matzah  ball soup with the rest of it.  I do the same when my kids are over, only then I start with two chickens.  

[SereneSeagull]

Love the rotisserie chicken, plenty for leftovers or chicken salad, agree @karenc390368 

[JohnI388973]

I save money by making a refreshing drink at home. Pomegranate juice is healthy but can be pricey, with the Pom brand costing around $10 a bottle, and it’s a bit strong to drink straight. Instead, I use 4C Green Tea with honey powdered mix, buying the large canister that lasts about two weeks. I make it slightly weaker by mixing four scoops into three quarts of water so it’s not overly sweet. When I pour a glass, I fill it about three-quarters with iced tea and top it off with pomegranate juice. Served ice cold on a warm day, it’s the most refreshing drink I’ve ever had. Cranberry juice is also a great substitute for pomegranate juice.

[JohnP730169]

I save some money by talking my cellphone carrier and internet provider down.

What I do is, call them, and ask for any promotions, and if they're there, they give them to me.

I don't care too much about this part right here.

But sometimes, putting your debit and or credit card on auto-pay, can save you some money too as well.

But if you receive your income right at the beginning of the month, make sure your cellphone carrier and internet provider knows that, so that they don't hit your card at a time where and when your income isn't available just yet.

That is, if you're using your debit card to pay your bills.

If it's going on your credit card, that won't matter too much.

[PegB873008]

I save money by paying my credit card bills off monthly; I never carry a balance. Saves me all that interest on my "no annual fee" credit card.

I just learned from a customer where I work: print off the gift cards that you earn for taking quizzes and gather, in order by store, in a file folder. Always carry that file folder and save your gift card coupons neatly. Makes it so much simpler for you and for the person at the cash register.

[MelissaH805241]

I like to save money by freezing any extra water from boiled dry beans, or cans of vegetables. I freeze it and use it later for making soup broth.

[monicamk73]

I use my AARP app for finding deals on Gift cards, I use apps like Fetch and MyPoints to earn gift cards for Starbucks and we use that for occasional treats!  We also do direct deposit into our savings and maximize our 401k contributions to save for our future! 

[BeverlyHarrison]

I save certain dollar bills that have my favorite letter on them.  I have saved over $200.00 since May 2025.

[SereneSeagull]

@BeverlyHarrison @That sounds fun!

[WandaB832534]

Besides the movies & games provided by AARP & the senior center in our city that provides a multitude of activities weekly, our nearby movie theater has discount Tuesdays. We also buy gift cards at Kroger for birthday & Christmas gifts or for stores/restaurants. Our grocery store provides 4x the points off gas for groceries purchased on certain days of the week. And don't forget to clip the store's virtual coupons. And of course we use store & restaurant apps to get discounts or free items. We use our credit card for all purchases & pay it off at the end of the month then a couple times per year we convert the cc points to money that we apply against our credit card balance. Our city provides a discount on water & property taxes for those over 65 so be sure to check with your town. I have also been able to build enough points for a couple $25 gift certificates from Fetch for scanning receipts. I think I'll look into a few others I've seen but haven't tried. 

[mo1779]

When I go out restaurants, I eat half of my meal and take the leftovers home for the next day. Also, when possible, I dine during the lunch hour or happy hour specials.

[dcolo]

Use apps like Upside to save on gas, use apps like Fetch to save for gift cards by using all of your receipts.  Buy bread on sale and freeze it until needed.  Go to the movies when they have deals.  Join clubs at restaurants to save money and receive free birthday gifts.

[awellek]

How to save.

Grocery store club cards; don't forget to pick your coupons to truly save.

CVS has coupons to pick as well. Also provides rewards that can add up.  Just don't let them expire if you really need buy something.

Shop on sites that provide free shipping.  

[Dk1006952]

Although I live in a retirement community and so, can buy food at lunch, I still make my own soups and other recipes to save money on dinner. Since I often can't eat the whole serving from the kitchen, I put the leftovers in a food container and freeze them until there is enough to add to the soup. This helps when the prepared veggies are too soggy for me to eat in the first place!

[RichardM424617]

My best money saving tip is actually getting the Fred Meyer credit card! I get fuel points for using the card which adds up to discounts at the gas station. I also get coupons mailed to me based on things I like to buy. I ALSO get points that build up throughout the year that I can eventually cash out as a gift card! So with my current spending habits that equals a $100 gift card per year. The only catch is you have to pay your credit card bill in full each month so you're not paying any interest. So with that said, considering all the discounts and points I get, it's like they're paying me just to use their CC!

[sparkle6023]

Check out various apps that let you submit receipts/purchases to possibly earn cash, gift cards, or sweepstakes entries. Some are easier to use than others and may suit one better if that shopper has certain buying habits. Sometimes, more than one program can be used at the same time. Do some online research, or ask friends what they prefer. 

[AaronM446472]

I use fetch, and the Upside app

[IsabelC826694]

Your local library has so many FREE resources for you to choose from for entertainment, personal and professional development as well as daily programming for everyone. Check out books, dvds, cds, and more or check out their digital collection to download straight to your own smart device. Stop paying for streaming apps and see what your library offers! There is something for everyone.

[JeanM549819]

Living in a cold climate, I take advantage of Black Friday sales to buy warm blankets, socks and kids' clothes for the local homeless outreach services and domestic abuse shelter for Christmas and winter months. Am able to maximize how far my dollars go. 

[tknerrer]

We use rewards credit cards for all purchases.  In months that offer 5% cash back on groceries or gas, my two biggest spending categories, I will purchase gift cards for those retailers I frequent most.  This way I'm reaping the benefit of 5% off for more than just the time of the offer.  For example, I made a purchase at Aldi last week and purchased an additional $300 in gift cards to be spent over the next several months.  I will receive 5% cash back on my credit card that I can cash out for additional gift cards to be used at other retailers we frequent. 

[MatthewS995977]

 I do almost all of my local transportation by bicycle. It saves on gas & is great exercise, I live in the mountains.

I second drying clothes outdoors. I usually don’t even use the dryer. NOTE: Dryers destroy your clothing, so not using one will save money on clothes.

[SereneSeagull]

Bet you’re appreciating not needing to get gas right now @MatthewS995977 

[e12389c]

I hang my clothes to dry, outdoors in summer and indoors in my garage in cooler months. I throw them in the dryer for a few minutes to fluff them. I'm extending the life of my clothes and my dryer as well as saving on electricity. I buy nice second-hand clothes from Thredup and always check thrift stores before buying new. I also use AARP for discounted gift cards on Petsmart and IHOP.

[ChristinaS725030]

I totally agree with hanging clothes to dry. Growing up I did not have a dryer until I was a teenager, my parents hung the clothing outside to dry in the summer and in the basement for the winter months. Now, I do the same things. Saves so much money on electricity with dryer usage and you can do other things as the sunshine is drying your clothing for FREE! And you are being GREEEN, which is very in vogue these days. 

[AntonietteW254504]

Using AARP Rewards is an easy way I save extra money by replacing everyday spending with discounted options. For example, I send free e-cards instead of buying expensive greeting cards which can run in excess of $5.00. I also stretch my budget further by purchasing discounted gift cards before dining. I'm not reducing expenses directly, but it is the same as earning money. I like to think of it as a micro earning system. It adds up! I also use cash savings tips I learn by watching AARP videos!

[JohnF539009]

Dave dogs

[rg335]

I hoard cash and was saving for later - maybe should have spent more for fun earlier 😜