AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

Everyone is familiar with second hand stores. In our town as well as a few others often there will be a box of "free items' such as shampoos and clothing or dishes etc. Sometimes as others can attest for sure is that much is new or barely used. Still in package. Plus this is fun and enjoyabe. Sometimes  I ll even give away to others what they can use more.

I buy discounted gift cards from AARP and other retailers like Target, Costco, and grocery stores like Fry’s in the amounts that work for gift giving and my own shopping.  Watch for sales at Xmas, Black Friday,Prime Day and Prime day competitor sales.  I buy smaller amounts for stocking stuffers and white elephant gift exchanges and larger amounts for bigger gifts like Xmas, graduation and other special accomplishments.  I also use them for my own shopping so that my savings are increased when I buy something at a discount or when I need something that isn’t on sale.  Keep in mind that the credit card gift cards will charge an annual fee if they aren’t used up or reloaded in a year.  But they are almost never discounted.  If you buy one it should be used soon or you’re no longer saving anything.

I love to read books, but often find audio books more convenient.  Instead of subscribing to a paid service like audible, etc. I use my public library's Libby.  It's great!  I've been using it for years now, reading about 3 books a month.  I've save thousands of dollars doing this.

One tip I always stick with is always shop with a list. I will use grocery store websites to build multiple lists, clip digital coupons, then pick the one which is least expensive and purchase there. I also use low mileage car insurance (Lemonade) which is cheaper than many other options. It requires an app on my phone and transponder but will keep my car insurance very inexpensive. I am a big fan of my local library and borrow physical & digital books.My cell phone service is by the gig since I really don't need unlimited data and under $30/mo.  Credit cards are all reward cards from 2-5% cashback. I also prefer interest bearing no fee checking. AARP gift cards and discounts help me to stay on budget and sometimes have a little extra like the AMC Theatre gift cards and the rental car discount I used on vacation last year.

Whenever I am online shopping I look for coupon or discount codes to save additional money. If there aren't any, I usually leave my cart and wait at least 24-hours. Many retailers note that you have not completed purchase and will email you a discount code to complete purchase.

I downloaded the Upside app which gives you saving on gas, groceries and restaurants. When you reach an amount you want to redeem follow the Upside steps to get your reward! Easy . Peasy!

The AARP gift cards really add up.  Add to them knowlege of store-specific "in-store tag codes" which indicate = clearances, manager specials or better yet... final mark-downs, and it's a definite win situation. Loyalty club points even better, since points accrue even when using AARP gift cards as payment. Those points provide even more purchase power and lots of SAVINGS!

To save money on groceries, I always review the weekly ad for the best deals and search for any coupons. I compile a list of the best options needed for my family and budget and then go shopping. Sometimes you have to shop at multiple stores to get the best bang for your buck.

     I buy all of my Gift cards for the holiday season at my local AAA, where members get a certain percentage of their purchase ( I think its 3-5%) of the total gift cards purchased, into reward bucks. This then can be applied to the membership fees.  I’ve saved $25-30 this way per year, on my AAA bill.

If I’m going to need gift cards that I purchase anyway, I might as well have it go towards that I figured.

My biggest go to for saving money is: look at the per unit, { ounce, square foot, etc} price on items that I use a lot of.  As an example toilet paper in the large pack of mega rolls tends to often, {but not always} be less expensive.  I usually buy store brand, but on occasion the name brand will have a sale on one or more sized packages that makes that item less expensive than the store brand. 

A second tip is to "stack" savings: purchase a discounted gift card from AARP- some are as much as 20% off, I use a cash back rewards card to make the purchase giving me an additional % cash back. I look for sales, and purchase when item is at it's lowest price in the window that I need it.  For example, a $25 Panera card for $20, paid for with 2% cash back, - save another 40 cents, wait for a deal in App (often, $5 off on a whole sandwich). puts me at $14.60 for a $25 meal. Which almost makes it worth while !