Purchase "gift cards" through AARP at a discount to use to pay at your favorite retailer/dining establishment, etc. It's like always getting it on sale or as my husband says, like not having to pay taxes on something.

Look for No Penalty CDs that earn higher interest rates than money market accounts. Money there is accessible quickly and there is no penalty for early withdrawal. Ordinarily all monies have to be deposited at once and withdrawal of entire amount at ...