What do Amtrak, US Forest Service, Applebees, Hallmark, and AMC theatres have in common? They, and hundreds of other businesses and organizations give special savings to older Americans. Discounts are everywhere ranging from free soft drinks in many fast food restaurants to breaks on property tax in many states. Grocery stores will often give 5-10% savings for older americans, special travel deals are still available, even the occasional gas station offers a 10% price break. It all adds up! Have you tried asking? The sooner you use 50+ deals the more you'll save over your lifetime.
Most of these discounts for older Americans are designed locally. Their parameters vary, the starting age ranges from 50 to 65, and most of them are invisible unless you ask. Many of the price breaks in retail are deepest on store brands or only during certain days or hours but with savings of 10% on groceries, for instance, you may be willing and able to schedule your shopping to meet those guidelines. Like all market interactions you're advised to carefully note the particular guidelines for saving and remember the mantra "buyer beware." Senior discounts aren't always the best offer as Time outlined late last year--- but that's no reason not to ask.
Couple "senior discounts" with any savings you may already gain from an organizational affiliation such as AAA or AARP and any couponing or sales surfing you may already do and you might capture sizable enough savings to bolster your financial savings. Once you realize the value of exercising your 50+ percs branch out and explore the world of discounts and freebies for every age! Why not?
If you're not already exploring deals for older Americans I urge you to begin. Hesitating? Maybe you don't want to ask if there's a "senior discount" because it brings up an image that doesn't really fit who you are? As we've become more active, fit, and involved in many different lifestyles we feel stronger about not being affiliated with the term "senior" and perhaps more self reliant than at any other time in history. Maybe you don't feel like you need a small discount? Okay. Sometimes we're also discouraged from saving because it requires us to declare our age. Anytime you change your mind these great savings will be there for you! So many people get discounts in today's world: AAA members, club members, and holders of a variety of retail card memberships to name a few. Being older is simply another way to save. I hope you try it.
How can you get started? First of all ask at the customer service desk or phone line of the companies you patronize including your television and telephone services. When you query television and telephone companies let them know if you're on a fixed income. Secondly ask your mayor's office or local chamber of commerce if there are any special 50+ discounts in your community government or retail core. Thirdly, explore the databases online. Seniordiscounts.com boasts the largest database searchable by city and category but their blog stopped posting four months ago so add to that the up to the minute resources of Skiddy.com, also seachable by category and location, or the strong list of mainstream companies that offer "senior discounts" (including amt and the starting age honored) at 2019 Biggest List of Senior Discounts. If you're already enjoying this world of savings leave us a comment and share your inspiration and experience!
Update March 2014 check out Kiplinger's list of 66 of this year's freebies!
Update 2016 The Best List of Senior Discounts is also on Facebook. The Pennyhoarder.com narrows discounts down to the author's 100 favorite. They include fast food discounts, travel oriented savings, and some health related discounts. You'll find national cell phone plans for 65+ at the Senior Discounts List. By the way one store I haven't seen on lists is Starbucks. Some stores give seniors a discounted cup of drip coffee. Try asking your store for the "senior coffee" if you're 60. Every list has at least one surprise so try them all!
