Category: Frugal

Disclosure: affiliate link included Here are my favorite ways that you can use to start saving Today! 1.  Join memberships, but only the ones that you will actually use.  A warehouse club, like Sam’s isn’t worth it if you don’t save money there.  We save on tire purchases, gas, and bulk groceries. 2. Don’t join an expensive gym, if your budget can’t afford it.  Many people join gyms and rarely go.  You can purchase some cheap equipment at yard sales and work out at home. 3. Visit all the grocery stores in your area and farmers’ markets. Learn prices by keeping a price list of what you buy on a regular basis.  Then, shop for the best prices.  Use coupons (paper or digital) or purchase off-brands (whatever price is the better buy).   4.  Stock up when there is a super deal on something.  Of course, if it’s something that must be frozen, you’ll need to know that you have adequate freezer space at home. 5.  Don’t go in debt for small things.   6.  Apply for loyalty cards for all stores (online, too) where you may shop.  I keep mine in a small cloth zippered bag in my glove compartment.  When I go shopping, I can throw them in my purse.  I certainly don’t want them weighing down my purse on an everyday basis 🙂 7.  Sign yourself and your family members up for Birthday Clubs.  On their birthdays, they’ll receive e-mails for free coupons to get all kinds of goodies! 8.  Consider Amazon Prime The huge list of benefits is hard to ignore. Free prime shipping, groceries, book rentals (great for college students) used books, Kindle, book borrowing, Movies, movies, streaming, music, and the list keeps growing. If you really use Amazon for more than free shipping, it’s well worth the cost!  9.  Consign: Consignment buying and selling is wonderful when you have growing children.  You can sell their small clothes and buy bigger clothes.  I did this with my last child and he was so well dressed!  I’ve also done it with my clothes, too.  It’s a great way to make some extra money. 10. Shop “After Christmas” sales.  When I’m filling the Christmas stockings every year, the budget always seems to be finished.  I never seem to have enough money left to buy cute stocking stuffers.  Now, I’m shopping the After-Christmas Sales (online) to purchase stocking stuffers for my older kids.  I have a box filled in my closet with great purchases, which I bought at 75-80% off! What is your favorite way to save?   @2017, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Ebates – Get Cash Back on your online shopping. Swagbucks – Get Free Gift Cards for shopping, surveys, and web searches. Shop “Used” first – Consignment, thrift stores, Ebay, used books, Amazon, Flea Markets, etc… Loyalty cards – Grocery stores, department stores, etc..  Receive discounts and coupons directly. Coupons – Digital, paper, and apps.  Search for apps for all the places you shop.  You’ll find great savings in unexpected places. Online shopping/comparisons – Know the lowest price before you make a purchase.  You may be able to combine coupons and free shipping or even get it cheaper locally. Small Local Shops – Get to know your local dealers.  They often are negotiable and offer great service.  You can find wonderful products, fresh organic produce, and more! If you use Credit Cards, shop around for the best rewards program that fits your family’s needs.  We use the Kroger 123 card and get Kroger Cash Back and wonderful coupons on foods that your family actually eats.  Our Amazon Prime credit card also rewards us with free money to spend at Amazon.  If you fly a lot, look for a card that gives Airline Miles. Cash Back from Ibotta.  This offers cash back from your retail receipts.  This is also now connected to Amazon. Disclosure: affiliate link included. @2017, copyright Lisa Ehrman

Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+) Arby’s: 10% off ( 55 +) A & W All American Food: 10% Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+) Bennigan’s: discount varies by location (60+) Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+) Boston Market: 10% off (65+) Burger King: 10% off (60+) Captain D’s :Wednesdays (62+)Specials Deals Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+) Chili’s: 10% off ( 55+) CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+) Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +) Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+) Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+) Golden Corral: 10% off (60+) Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+) IHOP: 10% off ( 55+) Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+) KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+) Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+) Long John Silver’s: various discounts at locations ( 55+) McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+) Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+) Old Country Buffet 55+ Papa Johns Ponderosa Steak House 60+ Shoney’s: 10% off Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+) Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+) Subway: 10 off at manager’s discretion (60+) Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+) TCBY: 10% off ( 55+) Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+) Wendy’s: 10% off ( 55 +) White Castle: 10% off (62+) This is for me … if I ever see one again. RETAIL  Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +) Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +) Big Lots: 30% off Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +) C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+) Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+) Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location) Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location) Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+) Kohl’s: 15% off on Wednesdays (55+) Michael’s 10% of purchase Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+) The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+) Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +) TJ Maxx 10% on Monday (55+) GROCERY Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +) American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +) Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+) Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +) Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+) Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +) Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+) TRAVEL  Airlines: Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+) American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays – Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount) Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount) United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount) U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount) Rail Amtrak: 15% off (62+) Bus Greyhound: 15% off (62+) Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+ Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Carnival cruise lines offer discount rates to cruisers 55+. Car Rental Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+) Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members Overnight Accommodations: Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+) Best Western: 40% off (55+) Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+) Waldorf Astoria – NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +) Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+) Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+) Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+) Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+) InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+) Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+) Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+) Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+) Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +) Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+) Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+) Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+) ACTIVITIES &ENTERTAINMENT AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +) Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+) Ask your local Gym about a discount: My husband got a Sr. Discount Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +) Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+) Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+) Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +) Sea World offers discounts if you’re over 50. CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+) Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +) Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+). MISCELLANEOUS Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts (60+) Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+) Walgreens 15-20% off (55) Some utility companies offer discounts.  You can ask. Jiffy Lube & Midas offer service discounts. Many colleges and universities offer discounts to seniors.  The community college in my area offers cheap audited classes for seniors. This list has been collected by me over the years.  Some of these have been seen on the news.  Some were found online: AARP, and Brad’s Deals & (dealnews.com). Many discounts I found out about on my own, because Hubby is over 55 and now I’m 55.  We won’t use all of these discounts, but it’s good to know where they are in case we need to go to these businesses.  Every little bit of savings can help in retirement.   @2017, copyright Lisa Ehrman

How are your summer vacation plans coming?  If you’re like me, you haven’t made them because of financial reasons.  We had thoughts of a beach trip, but hotels on the beach are so pricey!  This type of trip would need to be in the off-season to be affordable for our family. What are some good ways to have summer fun without spending much money?  Here are a few ideas  that I have found: *Check your local Park & Recreation Dept: Classes in almost anything that you could think of,  many are free or cheap *Public libraries offer free programs: book clubs, music programs, volunteering, and more *National Parks: Free days are sometimes available, cheap fun, lakes, camping, picnics, etc *Day trips: check with your local tourism board or online, explore your area for museums,  parks, arts, sports, tours, concerts, and outdoor movies *Whatever interests you or your family can be fun.  If you love baseball, look for a local game.   Even if it’s just a free kid’s game, it can be exciting to go cheer on the children.  Finding a  picturesque park and taking a picnic can make a beautiful memory!   It doesn’t take a lot of money to enjoy your summer.  Don’t fret over not being able to make huge vacation plans.  The best vacations are the ones where you smile, relax, and don’t have credit card debt. @2017, copyright Lisa Ehrman