From AARP Bulletin
- GROCERY
- When buying berries in a plastic box, flip the box over. They should not stick to the lid of the box – which indicates excessive moisture and may be molding soon.
- Have two shopping lists: (1) Critical things you need for the coming week and (2) things you may need in the next month or two – buy those items when on sale, and stock up.
- Use a grocery store’s app whenever possible. Most discounts are showing on apps, not necessarily on paper or on the shelves.
- Try store brands.
- Use online coupons
- TRAVEL
- Try Amtrak for shorter trips
- Use night owl deals, and try to book flights on Sunday
- Don’t buy your tickets at the last minute
- Use Uber rather than car rentals
- Comparison shop for vacation homes – AirBNB, Booking.com, VRBA, HiChee.com, etc
- Watch for increased charges on Cruise ships
- eMail independent hotels to negotiate price
- Venture a mile or two from the main highway for lower restaurant prices. You can also check RoadFood.com, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and FourSquare
- Rent a timeshare from someone who can’t use it. RedWeek.com, Koala and Timeshare Users Group
- Use AARP Member Benefits
- Restaurants: Denny’s, Outback, etc offer up to 15% discounts
- Target Optical, LensCrafters and Glasses.com offer discounts
- Optum Rx gives discounts for prescriptions
- Hotels give up to 20% off
- UPS Store gives 5% off shipping
- FTD and Proflowers give 25% off
- 53% discount on Norton Identity Protection
- Going in a group? Call to ask for quantity discount
- OTHER TIPS
- Get Coffee Grounds for your garden from Starbucks
- Use groceries as seeds: Onions, potato eyes, scallions, celery bottoms, etc
- Host a plant swap
- Get a Culture Pass from your local library
- Buy your own modem and router rather than renting from your provider
- Tolerate ads on Streaming TV programs
- Buy a used mobile phone rather than buying the latest and greatest
- Get eBooks for free at loc.gov/collections/world-digital-library
