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... 

[SummerOnTheWay1]

[Monday 4/20/26]

This contest has ENDED. Good luck all who entered!!! ‌🤞‌

‌➡️‌[*** Contest Entry Period of March 23, 2026, through April 19, 2026, by 11:59 PM ET on April 19, 2026.

[MaryB717337]

Utilize the gas royalty cards. I use Shell/fuel rewards and Mobil since that’s the gas I used and I save with every fill up. I stack rewards by connecting my T Mobil, AARP, and Stop and shop accounts and I save even more on certain days a week. It doesn’t take much time to coordinate. I’ve saved $185.00 over a year since I started just on Shell. 

[djmimi]

we always try to save money, but quality counts too.  So I often compare different brands.  Generally, if I go to Costco, I get good quality for less, thanks to the good buyers of Costco.  I like getting the family sizes, but freeze in smaller portions if able (such as meats).  Their rotisserie chicken is obviously the best buy on the planet as their mission is to continue to offer it at 5 dollars, you can't beat that price anywhere.  I know they lose money on the chicken but make up for it elsewhere. Get the chicken, that's one meal and then use the bones to make bone broth (simmer it for 10 hours). You get two meals for 5 bucks!!

[cs13243382]

Really need to save money? Kids will nickle and dime you to death! Get rid of your ATM card! It will not only save you money, but if your child wants money for a movie with friends, write them a check! This will force them to plan! They'll have to have current identification; Need to get to the bank before it closes; They'll learn how to write a check; and above all, if you don't have cash in the house or in your purse/wallet, they'll learn to stop asking you for money! 

[CharlesL737139]

Great idea, if they don’t use online banking.  With online banking they’ll simply endorse the check and simply scan it to deposit it.  Still, life skills one needs to know!

[SunsetManRick]

As bright-eyed and frankly, financially clueless newlyweds, our beloved neighbors dropped this nugget of financial brilliance : " Every time you get a raise , don't let that extra cash flow become pocket change. It's way too easy to blow it on things that won't improve your quality of life. Have your employer automatically ACH it straight into a high-yield savings account or into a brokerage account, before you even touch it. " 

We actually listened and following their advice faithfully.  I was a hardworking garbageman in San Francisco at that time. Fast forward 40 years and that stashed away nest egg will allow us to enjoy time traveling together in retirement.

Forgive my pun, but I hope this money saving advice helps your AARP Community turn their " Trash" into "Treasures" .  

[VivianP758301]

Enter to Action@AARPTeri

Go to the mailbox, and what do I see?

It's the magazine from AARP!

Ideas, deals and much, much more,

Like how to save when I go to the store.

Take a breath; do I need that new dress?

Should I buy the latest vacuum to clean up my mess?

Where will I put this fancy, must-have knick-knack?

Doomed to be a “treasure” of which I lose track.

I ask myself these questions to resist the impulse to buy,

And all that bling-bling that catches my eye.

Minimize, downsize, every penny counts.

I try to look around for the best discounts.

A staycation instead of a bank-breaking trip;

The extra money could go towards my new hip!

But if adventure calls and that luxury cruise is a must…

I’ll use AARPShopItNow.com for deals that I trust!

[mikeandlavada]

• When my grandkids visited, I checked out a museum pass from the library which admitted the family of five to the museum for FREE!
• I take my nephew to the library for zoo programs featuring live animals for FREE!
• My husband and I participate in the summer and winter reading programs at the library, and we receive t-shirts, mugs, books, candy bars, novelty items for FREE! My husband won a grand prize which included a gift card, electric S'mores kit, and full-size fire pit.
• We play Bingo at the library each month and have won a Roku stick, $10 Walmart gift cards, $25 restaurant gift cards, and dozens of "Book Bucks" that are spendable in the library's used Book Store for FREE!
• I attended a 4-week cooking class at the library with all supplies provided for FREE!
• I "checked out" seeds from the library and grew my own herbs and vegetables for FREE! The library also provides a community garden area for patrons.
• I utilized the library's notary services several times for FREE!
• I watch TV shows, movies, documentaries, and learning classes on DVDs or stream through Hoopla and Kanopy for FREE!
• I check out hard-copy/audio books, digital newspapers/magazines, and jigsaw puzzles for FREE! I always use the digital access to Consumer Reports to do research before we make any large purchases.
• The library also has educational activity kits, fishing poles, electronic/board games, cake pans, fishing poles, and Halloween costumes available for me to check out for FREE!
• I would highly recommend that you check out your local library for FREE!

[JaneD640420]

 I clip all the digital coupons from my grocery store website even if I don't plan on buying the item right then. I also use apps for store and restaurants to rack up points for discounts.

[KarenO697735]

   I love having fresh fruit with my oatmeal, cottage cheese, etc. But often the fruit were go bad before I could use it up, and it would end up gping to waste. Now I use mostly frozen fruits, they work just as well for eating "fresh," with ice cream, cottage cheese, cereal, baking etc. But I only take out as much as I want and the rest stays fresh and frozen for as long as needed. It actually works out much cheaper with less waste than buying fresh!

[SereneSeagull]

@KarenO697735  Hi, have you tried to freeze fresh fruit yourself?

     Blueberries work well after washing, lay them out on a paper towel to dry, then transfer to a sheet pan and place in the freezer.  After they are frozen, you can put them in a freezer bag or tub and they freeze really well.  Great to pop in the mouth whenever you want.  Strawberries slices too.  With bananas I squeeze a bit of lemon juice on the slices to help prevent browning.  Saves a lot of money and you won’t waste your fresh fruit .

[AltheaL469176]

This is a simple strategy that works well for seniors living alone, as well as single individuals, empty-nesters, and couples. When I shop for groceries in particular, I only purchase items that will fit into the child seat of the shopping cart. That keeps me focused on exactly what I need. It helps to avoid overbuying items and quantities that I don't really need.

[SereneSeagull]

I take it you mean the regular grocery cart, not the novelty carts shaped like cars!  Lol!

[MaryM931368]

For years, we had tried to lower our electricity bill by putting a timer on the hot water heater, changing to LED lightbulbs, etc, but the BIGGEST money saver was when we installed a heat pump water heater.  Was pleasantly surprised by the significant savings.

[jy5410]

Just joining AARP and you get a lot  of member's benefits. The membership fee pays for itself.

[GeorgetteS939694]

My money saving tip is buy a block of parmesan cheese and hand grate it and then put portions into pint canning jars (glass). I then put them in the freezer and use as needed. The cheese is fresh and delicious.

[j320788j]

Wells Fargo has various deals to get cash back for using different vendors which I have used for restaurants,  gas stations, and others  which I have earned cash back.  I sign up for the ones I already use and the cash back is directly applied to my debit or credit card I used for these purchases.

JanelBJ

[DanielleC839523]

I have had a rough few years, and during this time, I was forced to examine my spending patterns and triggers - things that make me want to spend money !  Both of my parents fell ill, in a short span of time, and I quit my job to be a full-time Caregiver.  I lost them both and inherited the condominium that our dog and I now live in.  I have not resumed working yet; I am grieving and trying to regain the strenghth needed to work, as a Senior.  I am living off my small savings, but have a Mortgage to pay.  I am forced to spend very little - only essential like electric and insurance and mortgage/hoa.  Pet care and food are also in the budget, but I am really being meager with my spending.  It has been a great lesson, because I notice how spending money can sometimes be a comfort.  We order from Amazon because we want to get a package; we buy more food because we are hungry for something deeper.  Examining our spending habits help us save money, because we can learn to substitute consumption with more meaningful FREE activities.  I walk my dog, clean the house, read, play online AARP games, listen to music.  Sometimes I will browse Amazon and put things in my cart, but don't press the order button.  Finding new ways to handle cravings to spend money is a great tool and is helping me in my current situation !

[emillan]

   i live in an apartment building and we have a senior committee where we all try to meet once a month. during one of our meetings someone suggested that each of us try to clip as many coupons as we can find and bring them each month to our meeting.  we then place all of them on a table and people pick out the ones they can use.  i have to admit we all have managed to save quite a bit of money because of this sharing coupons idea.  some were just from local newspapers, some downloaded from the internet and some even came directly from the manufactures!  one of the gals started writing to companies asking if they could mail her some coupons of her favorite items etc and explained about our senior coupon get togethers.    some companies if you mention that you are a senior and if they can even donate some items via mail some have actually sent us a few free products.  just wanted to share this as its been working for our group and hopefully it will work for you and yours. 

[SarahG647236]

 I LOVE saving money!  I always coupon, wait for clearance deals at end of each season, buy "new" decor, furniture, etc at thrift shops or an auction site that sells anything you could want for 50-90% off retail....... And finally, I use three apps (if you want to earn more, find more apps) to scan my receipts to earn giftcards.  Fetch, Ibotta, and CoinOut are the ones I use consistently.  Getting an amazing bargain always makes me feel like a good steward with my money.  Especially today with prices always increasing. 

[d636187w]

 I like to read several newspapers and magazines but cant afford the yearly subscriptions for them all.  Instead of subscribing I am able to read them free online through my public library while at home. Just ask your local librarian how.

[MaryB608236]

 The library has been one of my most favorite places in the world!  I can remember receiving my first library card as a child, and coveting the card the way I now guard my credit cards!

Last year, I learned of the amazing benefits now attached to my library card!  Everyone owes it  to themsemselves and their loved ones to sign up to receive a card, or to take a new look at the library card youalready own!  It holds more amazing, needful, and surprising benefits and opportunities than you could exhaust in your lifetime!

[JessicaL536993]

I like to eat healthy just as much as I like to save money. I save seeds and dry seeds from my favorite foods and grow them each spring, summer and fall. I also plant perennials that bear fruit and herbs that make pretty flowers and fresh herbs that I can use now of dry and use over the winter. I love watching videos and learning new techniques. I also enjoy attending community seed, plant and seedling exchanges to expand my collection at free or no cost. I know these are life sustaining activities that save money and health. No wonder our ancestors did these things too! 

[ds77502754]

When I cook a whole chicken - I keep the bones to make chicken broth for recipes in the future.  I freeze the bones and then make my broth in my Insta pot.  I use different size freezer containers, so I have many different amounts - anywhere from a cup to a quart.  I also give my dog the broth as a treat.  I can't remember the last time I had to buy broth.  I make broth out of pork & turkey bones, too.

[brmernest]

If you see something that isn’t on the shopping list, continue  shopping first which gives you time to think about if you really need it or if it is really a good deal. Then you can go back to it after finishing your list and or  you may even forget about it! Which helps with impulse buying or buying something you reallly don’t even need!

[MaryB608236]

❣️I love this and I've done it unconsciously several times.  But I've noticed that afterward that the things I almost bought but left on the shelves were either not needed, or would wait until my next shopping trip.

Making a note to make this a practice going forward!!

[JosephineW906328]

To save money, I time my purchases to take advantage of BOGO's; use the flyer to spot sales; use credit cards that offer cash back; shop clearance items.

[JosephineW906328]

Also saving $$$ for travel & vacations.

[DavidJ493628]

When i grocery shopping i buy the store brand