Community Manager

AARP Rewards Online Community Smart Saver Contest

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
March 19, 2026
728 replies
96176 views

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-2026-Official/td-p/2661846

smart saver contest

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MicheleB457560

Contributor ⭐

Max out your gift cards by double dipping. Companies with gift cards want you to run out and buy something - don't do that. Wait to maximize them. I put all my gift cards (from gifts, AARP, taking surveys and focus groups, etc) in a file sorted by when they expire. Then if I am going to the grocery store, gas station, Target, Home Depot, Staples, Amazon, etc, I see what is on sale that I need. Then I use the relevant gift card on top of the savings and any points I might have earned in individual store points programs. I reach at least 20% off, so I am reaching my goals in bringing down the cost of everyday purchases. How much do I love it when the cash register rings up zero $!

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

I haven’t seen expiration dates on gift cards, the ones I have don’t expire. Are gift cards having exp. dates on them now? You’ve got a good system it sounds.

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dianahunter

Contributor ⭐⭐

Most gift cards legally cannot expire (Federal law instituted some years ago). There ARE exceptions (like VISA or Mastercard cash gift cards or some rebate gift cards - those will have expiration dates either ON the card or somewhere in the paperwork they come with).

Also severe restrictions on "non-use" fees. Used to be if you didn't use your gift card often enough, they'd deduct a non-use fee, thus draining the card completely if you set it aside for future use! Grrr. Fortunately, THAT is banned by Federal law now, too. Again, with limited exceptions.

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i798107g

Contributor ⭐

Cut the Dryer Softener Sheet in half and put one half in the dryer.

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ckeller123

Contributor ⭐

My local grocery store (Pick ‘n Save) has a fuel rewards program that I take advantage of. Generally if you do your grocery shopping on the weekend (Friday, Saturday or Sunday) you’ll earn two times the fuel points which can add up in a months time. Every bit helps especially with the price of gas these days! In addition I also have the Fetch app and you earn 25 points per receipt. Once you have enough points you can redeem for digital gift cards.

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JamiM341038

Contributor ⭐⭐

Take your time with purchases, is it a want or a need? That easy move could save you hundreds.

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Memam67

Contributor ⭐

My kids tease me that I'm cheap, but I've always done this. I save toilet paper and paper towel rolls. When I clean my clothes dryer lint, I put then lint in the rolls. It's a perfect fire starter, no buying those little (and expensive) lighter logs.

SereneSeagull

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

That’s an interesting idea. The only thing with that I would be concerned with would be any synthetic fumes being given off in the air while burning. But I bet it starts a mean fire!

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leotravels

Contributor ⭐

I like to do puzzles. My sister and friends and card groups also enjoy them so we share and pass them around. Also my senior center has a collection that I can drop off or borrow. Saves me from buying new puzzles.

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TimothyM189488

Contributor ⭐

My savings tip is to always roll interest from a CD over to the next CD (so you continually build the base amount upon which you are earning interest). Also, using gift certificates from AARP Rewards is a great way to reduce the price of items you wish to buy. Happy Savings!

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DebraM623198

Contributor ⭐

Buy your children/grandchildren a piggy bank. They love them and help them learn to save money.

Also, AARP Rewards gift cards are a great way to save money on items you wish to buy!

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CarolynP242490

Contributor ⭐

If you have a library card, you can stream movies for free w/o ads from your local library. Download the “KANOPY” app and sign up with your card. This is a public service from your library; you don’t have to pay. It includes PBS programs like Ken Burns, kids programming, short films, BBC etc. ENJOY!