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... 

[DianeC963161]

I turn off my gas water heater most of the day, only turning it on a timer for a few hours in the evening so I can do dishes and take a shower.  Water heaters use a lot of energy so I’ve found it helpful for saving a bit on a limited budget. 

[AmyS625015]

To stay healthy, I buy alot of fruits and vegetables during my weekly grocery shopping. To make sure they do not go to waste, I immediately make a big fruit salad and a vegetable salad. That way, all I have to do is scoop out bowl full and enjoy. In the past these items have sat in the frig and spoiled because I didn't want to take the time to prepare them at each meal.

[eubanks1946]

Use your kroger app coupon for 4 times value on purchases on fridays...buy a kroger gift card and use it yourself to purchase your groceries.  Other coupons also add up to savings on groceries as well as on gas.

[mehem]

 I use the back of envelopes I receive in the mail to make notes and lists, saving on paper costs.  I also use the back of 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of printed material that are blank to print.  Just make sure they are in good condition. Then I recycle what I use.  I also reuse aluminum foil that is not contaminated by storing it in the door of the refrigerator so it's handy doing the same with plastic bags that are still clean.

[VivianM608156]

I started Ubering beginning of March and plan on doing so because it really does help with the extra money needed, especially with everything going up in high prices. Eating out less does help a lot!

[ohiojudy]

After realizing that I often buy frozen foods and then discover the same items buried in my freezer, I made a list of items by category that I keep handy, and cross off items as I use them. As I plan my grocery list for the week I check to see if I truly need the items or if I have it already! Saving grocery money but not for specific reason. 

[km36297351]

   I buy gift cards on sale on AARP rewards and on Costcos web site for places where I shop and then save them.   I watch for sales where I have the gift cards and then get double savings  from the discounted gift cards and items that are on sale.

[kh9932]

When I shop at Kroger I always do the survey on receipt to earn 50 more fuel points & also signed up at Address at end of survey to do e-rewards surveys to earn gift cards for Kroger & other stores. I have earned & used several $10 cards there. I also do AARP Rewards to earn more gift cards

[PamelaL16982]

 I snap receipts. I use 3 different Apps plus Upside for gas. Sure....it takes a little time for points to add up. But it is FREE money. My favorite App is Fetch because I get bonus points often for purchases and game play incentives. 

[jisteam]

Hello, my name is Joel and I am a caregiver for my spouse, I have a simple strategy for saving up and it takes along time but at least I am trying to, I found out I need cataract surgery so I round up my change in my checking account frequently, with the help of my daughter and with rounding up I am proud to say that I now have enough to meet the copay after insurance covers it for one eye! I hope for saving enough in six months I will be close to getting enough for the other eye to be done.

[wp3766]

I use Ibotta. I scan reciets  and just let the balance grow until I need it.

[JessicaC827852]

Our family quit using Amazon, so we don't impulse buy things we don't need. And we stock up on groceries when they are on sale, and freeze things for later. 

[ValerieM201389]

Hello AARPTeri. My tip for extra money is to use the "Apps" Rakuten and Upside. They are easy to join and they are free. I have received over $600 combined in one year. Also, it is important to learn the rules so all your purchase count. I mention not to scare you but to educate you!

[DeniseM37062]

To save money daily, I "pay myself first” by immediately transferring money to savings whenever I avoid a purchase, return an item, or use a gift card instead of cash.

[KariH629657]

 I stopped buying from Amazon over a year ago--saves me a lot on impulse buys and items I don't really need.  I shopped around for car insurance and found comparable insurance for half of what the local agency was charging.  I try to shop on Tuesdays--several businesses/grocery stores offer discounts on Tuesdays for those over 55.  

[amyltb57]

I buy gift cards at Sam's for the discount prices usually saving up to 20.00 a card. I use them at restaurants where I accrue points for each dollar spent. More savings there. 

[LisaJ111020]

I use coupons and rewards account at every place possible. For household items to gas stations to restaurant and on and on. Credit card use to earn points or cash back and pay off them/it off monthly or more often or before a zero % interest period ends. I also use rebate apps and of course any programs like AARP rewards that I can find. I will be opening a High Yield Savings acct soon I hope. Make sure you are contributing thru your employer (when available) to the retirement acct that they match your contributions in at least to the matching amount. Combine errands and plan an efficient round trip. 

[SergioD806658]

Whenever you are looking at any service to your property ( in my case driveway replacement,)  , ask your neighbors if there are interested in the same service and the more people you have that are interested, you can negotiate better prices for all . My neighbor and I each saved $500 a piece because we had our driveways replaced at the same time, saving travel and time costs for the driveway company and saving $$ for us.

[JoseB567696]

To save, you have to have extra money. Pay debts as soon as you can (credit cards, car loans, mortgage). Then continue living on the same budget you did when you had the debt. You can then start saving.

[s244169w]

For a few years I have been saving all my $5 dollar bills in an envelope marked MAGIC FIVE! Then once or twice a year I use it to do something fun, or to help out someone in need. The fives add up quickly, like magic!

[jo2970]

This sounds simple, yet I don't find that many people do it. I'm committed to not wasting food. To this end, I take stock of what is in my refrigerator, if not every day, then I don't go longer than two days. It results in a clean refrigerator, but also my making use of what is there. Bonus tip: New York Times Cooking provides a way for you to put in ingredients, and they'll suggest recipes to go with them. Leftover cilantro or eggplant or even broccoli that you want to fix in a new way? Let's stop cleaning out the refrigerator after a week or a month or longer and throwing food away! 

[CeleneR739206]

In my grocery store, there is a clearance section; I always stop by.  I have obtained full sized candy bars for Halloween at $.25 each and the expiration date wasn't until the following year.  I have also obtained baked goods (that I freeze anyway) for half off and with a rewards account I can get a personal price to which the 50% off will then apply next time.

[NesimeB549052]

 I buy groceries that are on sale and that offer a digital coupon which allows me to save more money.

[michelles419181]

 I do three things to help me save.  

 1) I save 10% of my paycheck in a special bank account. It goes there automatically so I do not even have to force myself to go to a bank to deposit.  

2) If I find an item I want to buy that is over $10, I walk about and think about it for 30 minutes to 3 days and then decide, IF i really want.  

3) When I make a purchase, any change (COINS), I get back, I put in a fish bowl and when it gets 3/4th full, I take to my bank which has a FREE coin counter. Note - the $ goes right into my account, so it is saved and I never touch the coin deposit.  

[RoyceB13]

Use your supermarket savings card app: certain days of week new digital coupons are loaded for the week.  Also on certain days of the week you can get 4x the fuel points for purchases.  These add up and you can use them for $1.00 off per gallon at participating Gas Stations affiliated with the supermarket.

[SusanG463368]

I always ask for senior discounts, in restaurants and stores even thrift shops,
it makes a big difference,

[SereneSeagull]

Yep, never hurts to ask!

[CarolK20]

I make it a point to shop at my local food co-op and head over to their bulk department. I fill my reusable bags with items such as oats, nuts, teas, and herbs. I also buy their fresh veggies that aren't wrapped in plastic. By shopping this way, I'm not only saving money but keeping plastic waste out of the landfills.

[SereneSeagull]

I’m always a little skeptical of bulk food containers.  I’ve seen people, adults and children alike, use their hand to grab and taste something.  Any amount it might save me or the environment is not worth it after seeing that.  But glad you can save and enjoy it!

[LadinaZ511163]

I use store coupons and buy discounted items whenever possible. I look for clearance racks and items on sale. I also shop around for the best deal before purchasing an item.