Discounts for seniors extend far beyond early-bird dinner specials and cheap tickets at the movie theater.
Businesses looking to drum up sales in a slow economy have created new programs for seniors, said Joan Rattner Heilman, author of “Unbelievably Good Deals and Great Adventures That You A
bsolutely Can’t Get Unless You’re Over 50.”
“It has become more widespread, from senior discounts on plumbers to the local Chinese restaurant,” said Heilman, who has revised her senior discounts book regularly for 20 years.
Here are tips to allow you to get all the discounts you can if you qualify as a senior, in some cases if you’re 50:
Do ask, do tell
Ask whether a business offers a senior discount, even if it doesn’t seem the type of sale that usually warrants one. For example, you might get a break on your Jiffy Lube oil change or Midas muffler job, although that will vary by location.
Join AARP
An AARP membership costs $16 a year, or less annually with a multiyear membership. Many seniors could easily make that back in discounts. It offers discounts at more than 500 retailers, plus price breaks on travel, financial services and health products.
Discount categories
“Today’s seniors have a wide range of discounts available to them,” said Erin Huffstetler, who operates About.com’s Frugal Living website and maintains a list of senior discounts. “Discounts on groceries, restaurant meals and travel are especially common.”
Most grocery stores have senior discount days, often midweek, although it varies by store. Large pharmacies have programs too.
Examples of chain restaurants that offer discounts are Applebee’s, Chili’s and Friendly’s, along with most major fast-food chains.
You can get clothing discounts at such stores as Banana Republic, Ross and Stein Mart.
Kohl’s Department Stores often have senior days, which offer storewide discounts. Even thrift stores offer senior discounts, Huffstetler said.
Financial products and services might offer senior discounts. Examples include tax preparation, bank accounts and auto and home insurance.
Where to find ’em
The Internet is a great resource for finding specific senior discounts.
GiftCardGranny.com recently published a list of 136 discounts for seniors at tinyurl.com/4tgjgv9.
Huffstetler’s list is at tinyurl.com/6db7sh. You can search Savings.com for the word “senior” to browse discounts.
And one website, Senior Discounts.com, is devoted to the topic.
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