Here Are Great Ways People Over 50 Can Save Money

If you’ve always thought senior discounts are just for the very old, think again – and read on. As early as age 50 (even though 50 is the new 40) you can snag great discounts and deals on things like dining out, groceries, travel, and more. Truth is, the so-called ‘golden years’ can save you some green, and at a much earlier age than you probably thought.

The following businesses and services (listed alphabetically in each category) offer discounts that can help make your retirement savings or part-time employment wages, if you’re still part of the workforce, stretch further. In addition, consider joining AARP, which offers many additional perks that make its $16 membership fee well worth it.

Groceries

American Discount Foods: Seniors aged 62 and older who shop on Mondays receive an extra 10% off their entire purchase.

BI-LO: Just fill out an application, and if you’re 60 and over you can save 5% on certain days of the week with a Senior BonusCard.

Cheryl’s Cookies: An AARP membership entitles you to save 20% on online purchases on cookies and other gourmet desserts, and $20 off when you spend $79.99 or more.

Fred Meyer:  Seniors 55 and over who shop the first Tuesday of every month get an additional 10% off on groceries, clothing, toys, and more.

Harris Teeter: Seniors enjoy an additional 5% discount every Thursday that can be applied alongside other coupons and promotions.

Hy-Vee: Seniors 55 and older can sign up for the Senior Citizen Discount Club at participating locations and enjoy a 5% discount on a certain day of the week.

New Seasons: Shoppers 65 or older receive 10% off on most items.

Schwan’s Home Delivery: AARP members can save $20 on their first order of $50 or more, and earn double Schwan’s Rewards points on all online orders after.

Shari’s Berries: Get 15% off chocolate-covered strawberries when you purchase them online with an AARP membership.

Silver Cuisine by bistroMD:  On their first order of $99 or more, AARP members save 25% and get free shipping; on all subsequent orders of $99 or more, you get 10% off and free shipping.

Simply Chocolate: AARP members save 20% on online purchases on chocolate goodies and $20 off on purchases of $79.99 or more.

Stock Yards: Order a fresh slab of meat or a readymade burger delivered to your home from Stock Yards, and savor a 20% discount if you’re an AARP member.

The Popcorn Factory: AARP members save 20% on purchases or $20 when they spend $79.99 or more. 

Wolferman’s: An AARP membership entitles you to 20% on baked goods and desserts.

Clothing

Goodwill: Many Goodwill locations give seniors 55 and over varying discounts on select days; Goodwill’s $1 Sundays offer discounts to all ages.

Kohl’s: Customers 60 or older can get 15% off their total purchase at Kohl’s every Wednesday.

Ross: On Tuesdays, customers 55 and over can snag an additional 10% off all of the clothing in their shopping cart.

Services

AT&T: Offers a Senior Nation plan for those 65 and older; if you live in Florida, you may be eligible for the plan if you’re 55 or older.

Consumer Cellular: An AARP membership means you can save 5% on monthly service and usage charges, and 30% on accessories.

Norton: AARP members save up to 25% monthly on Norton 360 plans, and up to 15% on remote help from Norton Ultimate Help Desk.

SimpliSafe: With an AARP membership you can save 15% on your home security systems.

Sprint: For those 55 and up, Sprint offers an Unlimited 55+ plan.

The UPS Store: Save 20% on all online printing services with an AARP membership.

T-Mobile: Discounted plans are available for seniors 55 and up.

Weight Watchers: Save up to $120 on a six-month membership with an AARP membership.

Vacations

Collette: As an AARP member, you can save up to $100 per person on tours of seven days or more to any continent, and $50 off per person on single-city tours.

Grand European Travel: Save up to $100 per person when you travel with Grand European Travel as an AARP member.

U.S. National Parks: The annual Senior Pass for Americans 62 or older costs just $20 ($60 less than a regular annual pass) or you can buy a lifetime pass for $80.

Royal Caribbean: Cruisers 55 or older can get reduced rates; the exact amount will be calculated when you call to book your vacation.

Vacations by Rail: AARP members save 5% on rail vacations, cruise tours, and select train tickets around the world.

Hotels

Best Western: Guests 55 and over can save up to 15% at Best Western hotels and resorts; AARP members can earn extra rewards points. 

Choice Hotels: AARP members or anyone 60 and older can enjoy up to 10% off advance reservations at Choice locations, including Comfort Inn and Econo Lodge.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: If you’re an AARP member, you can save 10% off the best available rates at participating locations.

Extra Holidays: With an AARP membership, save 20% on stays at over 500 resorts across the U.S., as well as Canada, Fiji, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.

Hilton: An AARP membership makes you eligible for getting up to 10% off as well as late checkout at Hilton brands, including DoubleTree.

Marriott: Guests at least 62 years of age can take advantage of senior pricing.

Motel 6: Guests 60 and older can get up to 8% off at any of the 1,400-plus locations across the United States and Canada; AARP members can take advantage of 10% off the best available rate and get late checkout.

Radisson: Save up to 10% on room rates if you’re an AARP member, and reach Gold Elite status faster.

TripBeat, Endless Vacation: At more than 2,400 vacation rental properties across the globe, AARP members save 25%.

Restaurants

Bonefish Grill: AARP members save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages. 

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.: Save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages with an AARP membership.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill: Your AARP card gets you 10% off any meal, on any day.

Chart House: AARP members save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages.

Chili’s: Although the company doesn’t have a nationwide senior discount policy, many local owners offer a discount so it’s worth inquiring at your local establishment. 

Cicis: Some locations offer seniors discounts, but you’ll need to contact your local restaurant for details.

Corky’s Homestyle Kitchen & Bakery: A Senior Menu is available for guests 55 and older, and you can get a senior meal for free after buying nine meals with a Senior’s Frequent Diners Card.

Corner Bakery Café: AARP members can save 10% every day.

Dairy Queen: Some locations offer customers 60 and older a 10% discount, though it may only apply to certain days of the week.

Denny’s :The chain has a special 55+ senior menu with discounted prices, and AARP members save 15%.

El Pollo Loco: If you’re 60 or older, you can ask the cashier for the senior discount and save 10%, up to a maximum of $1.

Fazoli’s Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC): members 62 or older who join the restaurant’s club 62 enjoy $4 senior meals on Wednesdays and a $1 small drink every day.

IHOP: The chain offers a 55+ menu with special prices.

Joe’s Crab Shack: AARP members receive 10% off food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Landry’s Inc. Restaurants: With an AARP membership, you can save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages at Landry’s restaurants, including the Flying Dutchman and Simms Steakhouse.

McCormick & Schmick’s: Save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages with an AARP membership.

Outback Steakhouse: Save a 10% discount off your lunch or dinner check.

Ponderosa Steakhouse: Seniors 62 and older score 10% off any entree.

Rainforest Café: AARP members save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages.

Saltgrass Steak House: Expect to save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages with your AARP membership.

Sizzler: The “Honored Guests” section of the menu offers specials for seniors age 60 and older.

The Oceanaire Seafood Room: AARP members save 10% on food and nonalcoholic beverages.

Entertainment

AMC: Seniors age 60 and up receive discounts on all movie tickets. 

Cinemark Theatres: Seniors enjoy discount ticket prices on any movie at any showtime, but only on participating theaters’ “Senior Day,” (varies by location).

Regal Cinemas: If you’re an AARP member you can save up to 20% on Regal ePremiere Tickets purchased online for all movies and showtimes across the country.

Showcase Cinemas: Showcase Cinemas offers movie tickets for seniors 60 and older for just $7.75 every Wednesday – and a deal on popcorn and a drink as well.

Audible: Enjoy $2 off a monthly membership as an AARP member.

Ticketmaster: AARP members save on select shows and events, including certain 2-for-1 tickets and events under $40.

Shopping

Lenscrafters: AARP members are eligible for $55 eye exams as well as discounts on glasses and lenses.

Michaels: If you’re 55 and older, you can get an additional 10% off any item, even sale items.

RiteAid: Seniors over 65 can sign up for a wellness program that gives 20% off almost everything in the store on the first Wednesday of every month. 

Target: If you’re an AARP member, take advantage of Target Optical, which offers $55 eye exams and $10 off eyeglasses and sunglasses. The Target Red Card also gives 5% off all purchases.

Walgreens: An AARP membership allows shoppers 55 and up to enjoy 20% off their purchases on the first Tuesday of every month, and AARP members who use their Rx discount card at Walgreens also save even more on FDA-approved medications.