By Mary Bach
There are two wonderful things that come with age: grandchildren and senior discounts!
Senior discounts are a fantastic way to help maintain your budget. While a wide variety of discounts are out there in the marketplace, many of them are not advertised or promoted. Many places and services provide savings if you are age 50 or older, while others begin at ages 55, 60, 62 or 65. Some companies offer discounts on certain days of the week or month. My best advice is always to ask, ask, ask.
Savings range from impressive and significant to smaller amounts that may lower or cover cost of taxes or the tip. You may find deals at restaurants, retailers, grocery stores, hotels, car rentals, airlines, travel agencies, cell phone companies, cruises, and health and wellness items. Some organizations, such as AARP, AMAC and AAA, offer membership for a fee, which includes access to a variety of discounts. For many companies, the specific senior discounts may vary by location or franchise, so there is no “one size fits all” situation. Some businesses offer discounts both in-store and online, while others may have restrictions on one or the other.
So what’s the easiest way to find these discounts? Using a computer or smartphone, search the words “senior discounts” or visit these websites for lists of available discounts:
• Money.usnews.com/money.retirement
• Theseniorlist.com/seniordiscounts
• Thepennyhoarder.com/save-money
• Caringseniorservice.com/senior-discounts
Just remember that discounts vary from location to location, even within the same chain, and businesses make their own rules, including the right to deny a discount. Happy savings!
Mary Bach is a nationally recognized consumer advocate. She can be reached at mbadvocate@msn.com or (724) 327-6969.