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... 

[m905288b]

All change goes into a jar and when I can some bills too.

[159253]

 I got an IKEA membership.  Dining at the cafeteria is economical compared to local restaurants.  

[SereneSeagull]

Yes, they have some very good food there.  

[v793927s]

Always carry a small amount of cash when traveling as some businesses charge exorbitant fees for paying with a credit card.

[fm80541536]

Every week I checked online for weekly store ad and download coupon when the sales start also I always check AARP rewards for their gift card weekly to save and stretch out my discount 

[CarolP564688]

Always pick up a copy of the grocery store ad when entering.  There are times when there are multiple ads happening simultaneously (ex Monday only, weekend specials). These extra ads are in addition to the weekly flyer and may have lower prices that what was listed in a weekly flyer.  In addition, the same chain may not always have the same ads.  In my area (KC) the Price Chopper chain is owned by different people.  While all have the same general ad, each owner frequently has promotions only to their stores.  These can be easily missed if not shopping at your local, regular location. 

Reading an ad can lead one to make smarter decisions.  Remember--End Caps are not always savings.

[WandaM14169]

I ask for senior citizen discounts as much as possible.  I also have a high yield interest account for  earning higher  interest than savings account.  

[LeslieH800767]

Always look at the bottom of all restaurants receipts... A lot of them offer free food just by doing the surveys and the surveys usually only take less than 5 minutes..... The best survey I have found is Zaxby's... You get buy 1 Zaxby's snack pak, get the other one free...Also, join restaurant's rewards programs and earn free food every time you eat there-- I have saved money by doing both!

[sc30744015]

Before you purchase something on-line, google Discount Promo code for _____.  Many times you can find a code to use for a discount.

[th37182233]

I go to grocery story early in am ,go to meat section and buy reduced meat! Usually has that date stamped or sometimes 2-3 days . I go home and use that day or freeze it,and save alot of $ .especially if its like steak or higher cost meat,it saves ton of $

[SDooi65]

• I only run big appliances such as washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc on the weekends which is off peak and electricity rates are lower. 

[d645103e]

 I save money by purchasing canned pumpkin and green beans in November & December for the entire year. Because the cans have great expiration dates, I know the cans will last. Starting in late October stores lower the prices for these two items because of holiday meals. I save about $1.00 a can on pumpkin and about .30 cents on green beans, buying a years worth during these months. Over the course of the year, these savings really add up. 

[SereneSeagull]

I do that as well with other canned goods.  Great way to save, you’re right. 

[WilliamS260688]

I I put money into a high yield savings account online (capitol one) but there are others.Earns more interest than your bank.I also Have a capitol one cd that pays a nice interest rate but when the interest from cd is paid every month i have that put into my high yield savings account instead of cd,That way im earning interest on top of interest,

[SereneSeagull]

Yep!  Putting it into something that makes money

[gs96677986]

This may sound counter intuitive. But when I see a really great deal on something that I think is a quality item at a fabulout price, I will purchase two of the items. Stash one until you're original wears out or you've used it up. 

[SereneSeagull]

I wished I had done that with some shoes many years ago. On sale, multiple colors, and only bought one pair.  Regretted it when I went to go back, sizes were all gone for me.  Taught me a lesson.  Buy multiple when I can.

[GAKKIEZ]

I save alot of money by not purchasing items that I will have to dust (I hate dusting!).  I can shop and look at the pretty items but never put them in my cart. Even my family knows not to give me gifts that will need dusting.

[SereneSeagull]

Yep, right there with you on dusting.  

[InezG273251]

My best money saving tip is to get support from other like minded individuals. I joined an online social media group where we help help each other to stop spending money. The reasons vary from credit cards out of control, unexpected repair expenses for cars or homes, emergency medical situations, etc. Everyone shares how they were able to resolve their problem or gives suggestions to help resolve a problem someone else is having. You learn from everyone sharing. 

The best tip I learned was to declutter. We often hold onto things that we do not need. Those things take up space and require storage which causes you to spend more money. We keep things that no one wants but us. This also keeps people from having to go through things once we pass on. We remove a hardship that so many people go through which is helpful. I no longer overbuy anything as I  strive with a minimalist perspective.

[PaulaB499941]

One of the best things I did was get a clear savings/piggy bank with no opening, the only way to get to the money inside is to physically break it, I have no idea how much money is inside but its been 4 months and its filled with 1's 5's 10's and 20's - Ikeep it on the kitchen counter to keep me motivated; anytime I have money in my pocket thats not spent I drop it in their. My goal is to keep it for 1 year.  My 2nd good tip is to budget your self, I made a spreadsheet with all my bills, I divided my monthly/quarterly and yearly bills, with due dates and late fees, I can see how much money I need to keep aside for monthly bills, when their due and when I can push the grace period, it does help me at times and believe it or not has freed up money for me, its easier to put 25 aside then to come up with the full insurance bill when its due.  Just my 2cents, hope they help. I bought the savings bank at Walmart  for under 10 bucks 🙂 

[EdB197781]

Keeping in mind Warren Buffett’s adage…”Price is what you pay and value is what you get.” When traveling, I always check at least three sites for the best price I would pay versus for the value I get in return. On occasion, it’s proved beneficial to pays a bit more for the extra convenience and benefits of the upgraded experience. For example, I may purchase priority boarding to ensure overhead bin space for my carryon luggage and avoid the possibility of getting my carryon gate checked. What is the cost / benefit of convenience and peace of mind. 

[AngelH152710]

 I started a spreadsheet sheet in the month of January and logged all my normal spending.  I didn’t cut anything that way I could see where I was over spending and then adjust my habits.  Starting in February I readjusted my spending and now pay more attention to my habits and have been able to save a lot.  This was successful for me because I could see a breakdown and know where I spent more money than I needed to or purchased something I really didn’t need.

[SandyG899524]

I always check for senior discounts at fast food restaurants. Saving a buck or so every time we eat out adds up.

[SusanS237688]

My Smart Saver tip---Starting on New Year's Day---Whenever you put an entry in your checkbook/register---round the cents to 00---and keep the amounts even. And at the end of a year calculate how much money you have saved.  I have been doing this for years and it works.  Also, every Sunday beginning at New Year---empty your change from the past week into a money jar or container---and on the last day of the year---count how much money you have saved.  Great savings with both tips.

[SereneSeagull]

lol!,  so you cook your books in your favor, so to speak.  I call that fudging my math!  I bet it’s fun though!

[randyc608583]

Save your coins i never miss them and it will add up soon then put it in high yield savings account 

[SuzanneNozaki1]

When I was a child, I learned many valuable lessons from nursery rhymes and Mother-Goose stories. The morals of these stories have influenced my money management skills as an adult! 

1) Planning! The Itsy Bitsy Spider unfortunately did not check the weather before crawling up the water spout! That was a big mistake! I have learned to double-check weekly store flyers and advertisements BEFORE I go shopping! That way, I don’t waste my money and energy!

2) Determination! The Little Engine toots that he “thinks he can!” Yes, I also “think I can” learn to manage my money better by reading AARP tips and watching AARP videos about money management! 

3) Focus on the Goal! The Tortoise and the Hare story has taught me that I must stay focused on my financial goals. Sometimes, it may seem that my financial progress is slow-moving, but I can achieve my goals by sticking to my decisions and not getting distracted (unlike the Hare)!

4) Fraud Awareness! Little Red Riding Hood’s grandma was deceived by a “Big Bad Wolf!” I have learned that I, too, might be deceived by scams and criminals who want to trick me or steal my money! These modern “Big Bad Wolves” are hard to avoid with advancements in social media and technology. I try hard to keep my money safe by using safety precautions and ignoring suspicious calls and emails.

5) Research! The best story about decision-making skills though was the story of the Three Little Pigs! Each pig made a choice about which building material to use to meet his housing needs. However, the 3rd little pig did his research! I, too, feel I need to invest time and effort in planning the best ways to save and invest my money. I feel that by consulting a financial manager, talking to a lawyer about wills and personal financial goals, and reading about financial management tips will help me to manage the money which I have earned. After all, I would not want a “howling wind" to devastate my bank accounts and investments! I want all of my saved “jars of coins” protected! I worked too hard practicing how to save money and use my money wisely, to simply just let it fly away! I envision myself to be persistent like the Little Red Hen (who was able to enjoy the results of her hard work), and not like Old Mother Hubbard (whose cupboard was bare)!

[SereneSeagull]

Very clever!

[NickieM738621]

I cut up all my credit cards except one, and I earn travel rewards on all my purchases. The travel rewards are used to buy airline tickets when I fly home. When I purchase something on my credit car, I immediately pay it off, so I don't have a big balance at the end of the  month. This takes some training and commitment, but it has saved me so much money. I really work on keeping my monthly spending in check. I purchase sale items, such as clothes and items for my grandchildren, and even groceries on this card. Having just one card makes life so much easier. I leave my debit cards at home and they are rarely used.