Frugality Is A Way Of Life, Not A Life Hack: Take Advantage Of Senior Discounts

Although frugal living is frequently touted as a life hack to save in a pinch, it doesn’t have to be a temporary life raft. Just because your financial situation is not restricted to living paycheck to paycheck, you can still take advantage of tips and tricks to save money. These savvy financial strategies are not exclusive to people in financial disarray – quite the contrary, they are often tactics used throughout the lifetime of financially secure individuals and their families, from young adulthood into senior years.

Whether it’s the stigma of asking for a discount or simply not knowing their accessibility, one of the most frequently underused and widely available price slasher is the senior discount. And, because senior discounts are not regulated, many companies offer them to customers under the official senior citizen age. From movie tickets to fast food, national parks to car rentals, senior discounts are bound to be abundant in your community.

Restaurants Offering Discounts

• Arby’s: 10 percent off (55+)
• A&W: 10 percent off, varies by location
• Backyard Burger: free drink
• Ben & Jerry’s: 10 percent off (60+), varies by location
• Bonefish Grill: 15 percent for AARP members
• Burger King: 10 percent off (60+)
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co: 10 percent off for AARP members
• Captian D’s Seafood: “Happy Wednesday Offer”—8 meals at $4.99 or less, varies by location (62+)
• Carrabba’s Italian Grill: 15 percent off with AARP membership, varies by location
• Chart House: 10 percent off for AARP members
• CiCi’s Pizza: varies by location
• Corky’s Homestyle Kitchen & Bakery: senior menu and Senior Diner Card (buy nine, get one free) (55+)
• Culvers: 10 percent off (60+)
• Dairy Queen: 10 percent off, varies by location
• Denny’s: 15 percent off for AARP members (55+), varies by location
• Dunkin’ Donuts: AARP members can get a free doughnut with a large or extra-large coffee, varies by location
• Einstein’s Bagels: 10 percent off (60+)
• El Pollo Loco: 10 percent off (60+)
• Fazoli’s: senior menu if you join the “Club 62” (62+)
• Friendly’s Restaurants: 10 percent off, free coffee
• Fuddrucker’s: 10 percent off any senior platter (55+)
• Gatti’s Pizza: 10 percent off (60+)
• Hardee’s 10 percent off and $0.33 drinks (52+)
• IHOP: senior menu (55+)
• Jack in the Box: up to 20 percent off (55+)
• Kagle’s Barbecue: 10 percent off (55+)
• KFC: free small drink (55+)
• Krispy Kreme: 10 percent off (50+), varies by location
• McDonald’s: discounts on coffee (55+)
• Mrs. Fields: 10 percent off (60+), varies by location
• Outback Steakhouse: 15 percent off with AARP membership (excludes alcohol)
• Old Country Buffett: daily discounts (55+)
• Papa John’s: 25 percent off online orders (55+) with code “AARP25”
• Perkins Restaurants: senior menu (55+)
• Sonic: 10 percent off or free drink (60+), varies by location
• Steak ‘n Shake: 10 percent off every Monday and Tuesday (50+)
• Subway: 10 percent off (60+), varies by location
• Taco Bell: 5 percent off and free drinks (65+)
• TCBY: 10 percent off (55+)
• Uno Pizzaria and Grill: 25 percent off Wednesdays (55+)
• Village Inn: 10 percent off (60+)
• Waffle House: 10 percent off every Monday (60+)
• Whataburger: free drink (55+), varies by location
• White Castle: 10 percent off (62+)

Retail

• Banana Republic: 10 percent off (62+)
• Bealls Outlet: 15 percent off every Tuesday (50+)
• Belk: first Tuesday of each month is "Senior Day," 20 percent off when using Belk card (15 percent for home/shoe purchases), 15 percent off without (10 percent for home/shoe purchases) (62+)
• Clarks Shoes: 10 percent off (62+)
• Dress Barn: 10 percent off Tuesday/Wednesday (62+), varies by location
• Goodwill: 10 percent off weekly, day varies by location
• Kohl's: 15 percent off Wednesdays (55+)
• Modell's Sporting Goods: 10 percent off
• Office Depot: 10 percent off for AMAC members
• Office Max: 10 percent off for AMAC members
• Peebles: 20 percent off on Tuesdays (50+)
• Right Aid: 20 percent off first Wednesday of the month with Rite Aid shopping card (65+)
• Ross Stores: 10 percent off every Tuesday (55+)
• Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50 percent off (55+)
• SteinMart: 20 percent off on Mondays (55+)
• TJ Maxx: 10 percent off on Tuesdays, at various locations
• UPS: 15 percent of products and services, 5 percent off shipping with AARP membership
• Walgreens: 20 percent off first Tuesday of the month (55+ and AARP)

Grocers

• Albertson's: 10 percent off the first Wednesday of the month (55+)
• Great Valu Food Store: 5 percent off every Tuesday (60+)
• Kroger: 5 percent off every Wednesday (60+)
• Morton Williams Supermarket: 5 percent off every Tuesday (60+)
• Publix: 5 percent off every Wednesday (60+) – only in certain regions, including: Tennessee, North Carolina, and parts of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina
• Rogers Marketplace: 5 percent off every Thursday (60+)
• SuperFresh: 5 percent off every Thursday with $30+ of groceries (55+)

Drugstores

• Many pharmacies accept AARP discounts (64,000+ pharmacies across the nation)
• Costco: Costco Member Prescription Program is available to those without insurance coverage and offers savings of 2–40 percent
• CVS Pharmacy: At $15/year/person, CVS ExtraCare includes 10 percent off the MinuteClinic and prescription benefits
• Kmart: $10 enrollment fee, $5 and $10 generics, 65 percent discounts on prescriptions not on the $5/$10 list, 20 percent off brand names, 20 percent off flu shots and 10 percent off other vaccinations/immunizations with Prescription Savings Club at Kmart
• Rite Aid: Rite Aid Rx Savings Program provides 15+ percent for brand-name and generic prescriptions
• Target: Target Prescription Savings Program offers 10–50 percent off prescriptions
• Walgreens: Discount/savings plan to help those without insurance coverage; if your savings don't equal the cost of the plan, Walgreens will reimburse you the difference

Travel And Entertainment

• Alamo Car Rental: up to 25 percent off for AARP members
• American Airlines: 65+, call for specifics
• Amtrak: 15 percent off (62+)
• Avis: up to 25 percent off for AARP members
• Best Western: 10+ percent off for AARP or seniors 55+
• Budget Rental Cars: 10 percent off, up to 20 percent off for AARP members (50+)
• Cambria Suites: 10 percent off (60+)
• Cinemark: Monday discounts (62+)
• Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10 percent off (50+)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5 percent off for AARP members
• Greyhound: 5 percent off (52+)
• Hampton Inn & Suites: 10 percent for AARP members
• Hertz: up to 25 percent off for AARP members
• Hyatt: up to 50 percent off (62+)
• Knights Inn: up to 10 percent off (60+)
• Marriott: 15 percent off (62+)
• Motel 6: 10 percent off (60+)
• National Parks: $10 for a lifetime pass (62+)
• National Rent-A-Car: up to 30 percent off for AARP members
• Southwest Airlines: 65+, call for specifics
• Super 8: 10 percent off, up to 20 percent off with AARP card
• United Airlines: 65+, call for specifics
• U.S. Airways: 65+, call for specifics
• Wyndham Hotels: up to 20 percent off with AARP

While this list attempts to be comprehensive and up-to-date, discount availability and amounts can vary by location. Additionally, some discounts may not be included on this list; it never hurts to ask!

Remember: It's your choice to be financially savvy. If you need help gaining control over your finances, seek help. There are professionals ready, available and willing to help you gain your financial independence.

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