This is a work in progress. This list was developed by a group of friends in Atlanta so some of these tips are Atlanta and Georgia based.

DISCLAIMER: These are based on residency in Atlanta, Georgia and may not be available at all locations. These suggestions must be verified by you, the potential user. Some of these are not limited to seniors. Some of these may not be good for YOUR OWN local franchises of the stores and restaurants named herein. We take no responsibility for the accuracy or any loss arising out of using any of the recommendations or ideas in this list in any manner whatsoever.

Though, this is a list of ideas that has been compiled primarily for seniors to help find bargains and save money, there are ideas that everyone can use. The savings add up over time and can net a great amount that can fund that nice Christmas gift for yourself.

Savings through AAA

Go to this website and see the possibilities. These are not just for seniors.

http://www.aaasouth.com/savings.asp

Savings through AARP

www.everydaysavingscenter.com

You will need your AARP membership number to register.

Automobile Insurance

55 Alive driver education: Defensive Driving Class through AARP

Attend this class and save up to 10% on your auto insurance over a period of 3 years. I got 7.8%. Go to www.aarp.com and search on find a driver safety class near you.

Currently the class costs $10.

This link may work for you: http://www.aarp.org/families/driver_safety/wrapper_driver.py

Check with your insurance agent to see how much you personally will save by successfully completing this class.

I don’t know anything about this next site, but this mature driver online safety course was recommended by SeniorDiscounts.com:

http://www.seniordiscounts.com/iDriveSafely.aspx

Banking Senior Accounts

Get free checking.

Free check printing is a must also.

Get free bill pay if you bank online.

Use online banking or bank drafts to pay recurring bills like utilities.

Beauty Supplies

Sally Beauty Supply
Discount: The Sally Beauty Club Card provides special member pricing and discounts of 5%-25% on every non-sale item in the store. Customers 55 years of age and older can receive the annual membership card at any Sally Beauty location for a 50% discount.

Age Requirement: 55+

Discount Restrictions: These discounts are only available in stores upon request and are not available online. Membership fees cannot be refunded for past card purchases and renewals. Proof of age is required. Some locations may not require that seniors have the annual card to receive discounts.

 

Books

Borders Book Stores and Outlets

Many Borders Stores have a Senior Savings Day. Please contact a local store location for details. (55+) Also get a Borders Rewards card. There are many discounts associated with this card. You will get coupons by email frequently also with this card.

www.half.com is good for getting books cheap, and you can choose new or used. If used, the condition is listed.

Buy the Southern Living Annual Recipe book every year at Sam’s at a great saving.

Clothes

Chico’s has great monthly coupons if you sign up for their Passport. These are recorded in their database so you do not have to bring your coupon with you. After spending $500, you also get 5% off with your Passport. If you are not tall, buy petite pants to save the fee you pay to have them hemmed.

Khols senior discount is 10% on Wednesdays. Combine this with items on sale for a deep savings. Seasonal items (like sweaters) are greatly discounted at the end of the season.

Costco

Costco has great coupon books.

A friend bought Microsoft Office for Home and Students recently for $105. The same version at Best Buy was $150. This was without a coupon. Usually the items available at Costco are packaged differently than at other retailers and are a good buy. For example, if you bought a grill it will come with a grill cover which normally would cost $30 on its own.

Craft Stores

Michael’s - The flyer with the Sunday paper usually has a coupon good for 40% off on one item.

Jo-Anne’s - Sign up for their email and you will get coupons (also usually 40% off on one item.)

Coupons

Try also www.print.coupons.com for a large choice of printable coupons.

Major newspapers have coupon flyers every Sunday.

Discount Stores

Home Goods, TJMaxx, Marshall’s, Stein Mart - Especially sales

Tuesday Morning - Great items are available especially on the first day of the advertised sale. This is a great source for designer towels and other home items.

Big Lots - Great for seasonal items

Kohl’s - discounts merchandise 10% for seniors on Wednesdays. Check kohls.com for sales too. Your 10% Wednesday discount will also apply for sales.

Goody’s - 15 % discount

Department Stores

Belk Department Stores - On the first Tuesday of every month, Belk department stores have a fifty-five plus shopping day where purchases are 15% off and this possibly includes free gift-wrapping. Age requirement: 55+. Belk has a sale on china in July (20% off).

Dillard’s has great sales, especially the sales on item permanently on sale.

Drug Store Savings

Rite Aid - gives seniors over 60 a 10% discount every Tuesday on everything in the store including cash prescriptions. (You will need a card for this.) Also 10% off on all Rite Aid products everyday for seniors over 60 with your card. I think that Rite Aid now matches the $4 Wal-Mart generic prescriptions. Even better on the first Tuesday of every month, Rite Aid gives seniors a 20% discount!

CVS card carriers get savings.

Walgreen’s - Check for coupons and rebates in the current booklet at Walgreen’s. A friend says that Walgreen’s is far cheaper than CVS or Rite Aid.

Wal-Mart offers over 300 different drugs at only $4 per prescription fill or refill (up to a 30 day supply). Go to www.walmart.com to view the list. The program is available at Wal-Mart or Sam’s. Many of the drugs available are generics. Also the Equate brand is Wal-Mart’s brand. Their Equate Air Health has the same ingredients as Airborne and is about half the price. Check the ingredients in some of their other Equate products against the products you are using.

Target also has $4 generic prescriptions. Many stores are copying this now.

End of Season shopping

Planters at Big Lots and Goodwill

Tulips at Breck’s mail order

Christmas decorations slightly before Christmas Or even better after Christmas

Off-season candles immediately after the season (Michael’s has wonderful sales)

Pike’s when they are changing seasons

Flowers

1800Flowers.com: SeniorDiscounts members receive a 20% discount on all orders.

Discount: Save 20% on all orders with the Promotional Code "SENIOR". To place an order online go to www.1800flowers.com and enter Promotion Code "SENIOR" when asked for a promotion code. To place an order by phone call 1-888-755-7474 and mention Promotion Code "SENIOR".

Age Requirement: 50+

Discount Restrictions: Exclusive of applicable service, shipping and taxes. Items may vary and are subject to availability, delivery rules and times. Items can be ordered online, by fax and by phone. Offers cannot be combined, are not available on all products and are subject or restrictions and blackout periods. Offer valid through 07/01/09. Prices are subject to change without notice. Void where prohibited

General discounts and coupons

Senior discounts - Zoo, HighMuseum, Street of Dreams, movies, IMAX. ½ price tickets might be far better. See Tickets section in this list.

If you are an AAA member, check their website for places that give discounts to members.

http://www.aaasouth.com/savings.asp

Don’t be shy about asking for senior discounts wherever you go.

Be sure to have a credit card that gives you something for your spending. It can be cash or frequent flyer miles or whatever.

Bed Bath and Beyond will take expired coupons. This may not be true at all of them. They will also take Linens and Things’ coupons.

Try also www.print.coupons.com for a large choice of printable coupons.

Goodwill

Goodwill in Cumming gives 25% discount on purchase (age 60) on Tuesdays.

Other Goodwills may have different days/different age limit.

Groceries

Wednesday is senior discount day at Kroger and Publix for a 5% savings.

You are throwing money away if you do not have a Kroger card or any of the cards provided by your grocery stores or drug stores. Also, Publix has a mystery coupon that gives you an item for 1 cent if you spend $10 that is valid only on Sundays. You do not need to have a coupon – just ask for the discount at checkout and they will usually honor it. I have got a case of water, a 6 pack of toilet tissue and even coffee powder using these.

Use coupons when you can. The Sunday paper is a good source. Also find some at print.coupons.com. Also check for Thursday flyers that come free and coupons in your mailbox.

Target Superstore Grocery coupons

http://sites.target.com/site/en/supertarget/page.jsp?title=coupons_specials

This URL was good on 10/26/07.

Wal-Mart has great prices on groceries in their superstores. Save about 50 cents to $1 on each item.

Use the small bottles of wine in a 4 pack for cooking for about $5 or $6. Large grocery stores usually carry several labels of these. This saves opening a bottle of wine just for cooking.

Shop the yellow tags (on the shelves) at Kroger for great savings.

Haircuts

Great Clips charges $9.99 for a haircut for seniors on Wednesdays instead of their normal $14 price.

Hotels

Marriott Hotels offer a 15% discount to seniors 62+.

Keys

Keep up with your keys. It will save you $$$. In fact, keep up with everything.

Lunch / Dinner

Check for frequent customer cards at your favorite lunch eatery. They will stamp or punch it every time you eat there. When the card is full, you will get a free lunch.

Fast Food

Taco Bell, Burger King, and possibly other fast food restaurants give a free or reduced price senior drink inside with a purchase of food. McDonald’s has a reduced price drink for seniors (59 cents). You need to check your local fast foods for senior drinks.

It doesn’t matter that they give you a small cup because refills are free.

Subway’s lunch daily special called a “Fresh Value Meal” (6 inch “sub of the day”, medium drink, chips or 2 cookies for $4.27 including tax in Dekalb county.) This is also available at dinner. Here is the daily list of “Fresh Values Meals”:

Monday Turkey Breast and Ham

Tuesday Meatball Marinara

Wednesday Turkey Breast

Thursday Italian B.M.T.

Friday Tuna Salad

Saturday Roast Beef

Sunday Oven Roasted Chicken Breast

Some Moe’s have $5 burrito night on Monday after 3 p.m. This includes a free 22 oz. drink. Not available at all Moe’s so check your local Moe’s.

Papa John’s: Monday through Wednesday you can get a medium pizza with one topping for $5 if you pick it up. Large pizza with one topping is $7 during these 3 days. I hope this will work for your Papa John’s.

Sweet Tomatoes: 10% senior discount everyday for lunch and dinner

Panera Bread: 10% discount everyday at most locations Age requirement: 55+

Brewster’s ice cream – They have various specials each weekday. Check your local Brewsters for the choices. Ours has ‘Bring your own banana and receive half off a Banana Split’ on Thursdays. On Wednesdays they have two pints for $6.

More Upscale Restaurant Savings

Go to www.restaurants.com for savings at good restaurants.

For some you can get $25 Gift Certificates for $10, others $10 for $3.

These can be very nice.

However, be sure to read the rules for the use of each certificate before you buy it.

Sometimes certain certificates are sold out for the month, can be used only at lunch, or may be valid only with a $100 purchase.

Super tip: Sometimes these coupons are discounted – so you get a $25 certificate for $5, $4, $3 or even $2 as the month progresses. Check oout deals2buy.com for ways to get to these deals.

Nordstrom’s cafeterias will divide a salad between 2 friends. If you want a half serving when you are eating alone, they will sell you a half salad for half price plus a dollar.

Makeup

For savings on Lancome makeup

Shop Designer Fragrances and Cosmetics (DFC) at the Dawsonville outlet mall.

They will mail to you if they have it.

Only buy Lancome at the mall when they have gifts for additional value.

Use more drug store cosmetics for savings.

Medical Equipment

Your church may have a room full of medical equipment that has been donated by members. Consider this for things like wheelchairs, portable shower seats, etc.

Movies

Check for senior discounts at your local theater and at IMAX theaters.

Matinees: Sometimes the senior price is slightly less than the matinee price. Sometimes it’s the same.

Evenings: The senior price is generally a couple of dollars less.

Costco has some movie ticket deals.

Online Bargain Shopping

I found this in a money article on the internet:

Bargaining power

Squeeze more out of your online purchases. Bookmark some deal-finding Web sites and check them before making any purchase online (or any big purchase offline, for that matter). Sites like MyBargainBuddy.com, AbleShoppers, dealnews and many others alert you to bargains on the Web, and include coupons for many sites. I buy a lot online, especially at the holidays, and I can't remember the last time I wasn't able to find some sort of coupon, at least for free shipping or 10% off. Also bookmark comparison-pricing sites like MySimon.com and Froogle to make sure the deal you're getting is as good as it sounds. I keep all my bookmarks in a folder called "Shopping," which helps me find them quickly. You'll find even more hacks in "The Web's best shoppers” (See part of this in the next paragraph.) URL is

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/FindDealsOnline/DealSharksTheWebsBestShoppers.aspx

The secret is layering

Sites like Ben's Bargains, Deals of America, My Bargain Buddy and SlickDeals do some of the research for you.

The operators of these sites scan the Web for cheap sale or clearance items and pair them with coupon codes, rebates or other discounts so shoppers can get the best bottom-line deal. You'll find instructions like these:

(Retailer X) has the Kodak C330 4MP 3x Zoom Digital Camera + Epson CX4200 AIO Printer + 256MB SD Card + Photo protection kit + 5-Piece Business Set for $135.

1. Add camera for $135.

2. Add printer for $100.

3. Add SD card for $30.

4. Add photo kit for $48.

5. Add business set for $60.

6. Apply coupons 65386, 57164, 63771 and 17807 for $30 off, $30 off, $48 off and $60 off.

7. Submit the $50 and $20 easyrebates online at StaplesEasyRebates.

Final price is $373 - $160 coupons - $70 rebate = $135.

Lowest on Pricegrabber for the camera is $131.

Some of these "affiliates" are even given special coupons to pass along.

Outlet Malls

Many factory and outlet malls will have senior discount programs available at some, if not all, of the merchants located in the mall.

In particular at the North Georgia Premium Outlets (Dawsonville):

Shop Tuesdays for the 50 Plus Shopper Perks.
If you are at least 50 years of age, you can take advantage of an added 10% savings on Tuesdays by simply presenting a photo identification with your proof of age to the cashier at participating stores.

To view a list of some of participating stores: http://www.premiumoutlets.com/salespdf/NorthGeorgia50plus07.pdf
Stores for the 50 Plus Shopper Perks continue to grow, so please stop by the Information Center to view the most current list.

Parson’s in Cumming

This is a large store with accessories for the home, seasonal items, some dishes, and other exciting items. Sign up in the store. You will frequently receive a coupon for $10 good on any purchase of $20 or more.

Pets

1-800-PetMeds

SeniorDiscounts members receive a 5% discount on all orders from 1-800-PetMeds. Use the promotional code SENIORDISCOUNTS when purchasing online or ordering by phone.

Property Tax

Certain counties drop the school tax at a certain age. This is about ½ of your property tax. Counties differ so check your county. The age varies also.

Reading glasses

Instead of buying reading glasses (eyeglasses) at the drug store, buy them at Dollar Tree ($1 per pair). Get several pairs.

Restaurants

See Lunch/Dinner above.

State and National Parks

US National Parks: (Seniors can buy a one time entrance fee.)

State Parks: Try using your AAA or AARP card for a discount. A choice of either worked well in a Florida state park.

Telephone Numbers/Information for Free

1-800-Free411 - for free telephone numbers, residential and business

You will have to listen to a brief message.

Also AT&T has a new number for their yellow pages (free in YOUR AREA).

1-800-YellowPages (Of course you don’t have to dial past the “P”.)

(1.800.935.5697)

The email announcing this AT&T service also had the following comment:

Get FREE directory assistance in AL, AR, CA,
CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MS, MO,
NV, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX and WI.

For information/phone numbers on the internet:

www.theultimates.com

Then you can choose white or yellow pages. The site can search through 5 different search engines. This site also has 2 reverse phone number searches and links to 3 map searches.

Tickets to events and local attractions

Join and check this website for ½ price tickets to some Atlantaevents (plays, musicals, etc.) based upon availability the day of the event and also for some Atlanta area attractions like the zoo and the HighMuseum.

http://www.atlantaperforms.com/joinus/email.asp

The event tickets can be purchased only in person at the Lenox Square information desk or at Underground Atlanta on the day of the event. There are a few exceptions. See the website for those.

If you sign up for their email, you can find out what will be available the next day.

CULTURAL ATTRACTIONS

AtlanTIX also sells Half-Price tickets at the booths
to the following 13 Atlanta area attractions:

Atlanta Botanical Garden ~ Midtown
Atlanta Cyclorama, "The Battle of Atlanta" ~ Grant Park
Atlanta History Center ~ Buckhead
High Museum of Art ~ Midtown
Historic OaklandCemetery ~ Grant Park (Guided tours not available till March 2008.)
Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta ~ Downtown Atlanta
Margaret Mitchell House & Museum ~ Midtown
The National Museum of Patriotism ~ Midtown (Will reopen spring 2008 in CentennialPark.)
Rhodes Hall ~ Midtown
Road to TaraMuseum ~ Jonesboro
Stone Mountain Park ~ Stone Mountain
Wren's Nest ~ West End
Zoo Atlanta ~ Grant Park

Go to the following web site for more information, times and prices; http://www.atlantaperforms.com/Discount-Tickets/Cultural-Attractions.html

NOTE: There is a fee that will be added on the ½ price cost. It is still a great deal.

Tires

Wherever you buy tires, make sure that you can have them rotated there for free for the life of the tires. Make sure also that the tire place is conveniently located. Costco and BJ’s have some kind of promotion going on for tire sales all round the year. Costco tires include warranty, free life time rotation and balance. I had two tires blow-out when I ran over a beam in the road and Costco replaced it with new tires for just the disposal fee.

Utilities

If you have been on the same plan for a long time, you can likely get the same service at a reduced rate just by calling your utility company.

Cable

If you are going to be away from your home for a month or more, it is possible that you can continue your service minimally for far less while you are away. It is called “seasonal” when you order this service from your cable company. This worked at Charter in Greenville for a friend.

Natural Gas

Shop for rates. Of course, insulate your house better to save on heating. Look for better alternatives like tankless water heaters.

Electricity

Unplug chargers (cell phone, etc.) when not in use (save $100 to $200 a year).

Change as many light bulbs as possible (especially the most frequently used) to the Energy Smart light bulbs to “go green” and to save energy. These bulbs are supposed to last for 5 years. They are much cheaper to buy now than when they first came out. Try Wal-Mart, Costco or The Home depot.

Turn off those lights when you are not using them.

Water

Some counties give a water discount to seniors. Check your county to see when you qualify.

If you get a sprinkler system, get an extra water meter so that you do not have to pay the sewer charge on the sprinkler water.

Cell Phones, long distance, etc.

If you have not talked to your cell phone carrier or other businesses with which you have an account, call them every couple of years to see if you can get a better deal. Your needs change and their plans change. As a loyal customer for years, you deserve a better deal.

Here is another option for telephone and long distance from your computer: Magic Jack at www.magicjack.com

Give this one a look. With so many options for long distance, this one may not add value for you. Clark Howard loves this one so I hear. Below is the information from the website. (You will need a computer with DSL and possibly Window XP or Vista.) I think it is also good for local calls.

Basically, it's a little gizmo that attaches to your computer through a USB port and has a standard phone jack on the other. It will allow you to make an unlimited number of calls anywhere within the United States for a low yearly fee (rumored to be $39 for the first year including the gadget then $19 per year thereafter). It also works from overseas as if you were calling from home.

Vacations

US National Parks: (Seniors can buy a one time entrance fee.)

Wine

Trader Joe’s carries a nice selection of wines at budget prices. They have some good wines that are about $4.50.