Senior Discounts

This is follow on to the earlier article on how to save money. I spoke earlier about the "99 Cents Only" stores and how you could save money by shopping there. Several other areas come to mind where you can save on both goods and services.

I've searched the web and found several links that I'm listing for your use. One offers discounts to anyone over 55. Senior discounts start as early as 50, but in some cases, depending on what you want and the demand for the product or service, may be delayed up to 70!

I'll add to this article as additional information becomes available.

For largest Senior Discounts database, go to:

http://www.seniordiscounts.com/

You can win prizes, get a senior discount card, sign up for a newsletter, as well as receiving a 500+ page reference guide book on the discounts offered on the website.

Senior Discount Mall

Many companies recognize the immense buying power of the over 50 age group, and offer senior discounts.

All of the websites on the senior Discount Mall have special discounts or offers for seniors. Visit the website for specifics.

http://www.wiredseniors.com/mall/


AARP- (American Assoc. of Retired People)

With over 38 million members, this association offers discounts to anyone 50+ years old who joins. From auto insurance to travel, drugs, entertainment, legal and financial, home security, and discounts on computers, AARP has it all. Check them out on the website at:

http://www.aarp.org/

Department Stores

Many department sores offer discounts to seniors. Some have special days of the week where seniors get 10% to 15% off the marked prices.

Gottschalks
Gottschalks credit card customers 55 and over receive 10% off on purchases every Tuesday. Also receive free customer gift wraps on items purchased on Tuesdays.
Khol's
Seniors 62 and older can receive 10-15% off on select days at participating Kohl's locations. To locate the specific days and discounts available, check your local paper for the Kohl's advertisement or ask a Kohl's associate.
Ross Dress For Less
Ross stores offer a discount of 10% to seniors 55 and older every Tuesday. They request seniors ask a store associate for details.
Sally Beauty Supply
Some Sally Beauty Supply locations offer discounts for seniors, but be sure to ask about the specific location's participation, age requirement and discount as they can and will vary. Most Sally Beauty Supply locations that offer a senior discount will provide between 5% and 25%off non-sale items to seniors 55 and older.
Stein Mart
Many of their locations have a senior day, usually available one or two times a month, most often on Tuesdays. Seniors 55 and over can receive 15% of the total purchase. Contact your local store for details.

Eyeglasses

You can save up to 30% on complete pairs (frame and Rx lens) at Lenscrafters by showing your AAA membership card.

Financial Services

Many banks waive or reduce fees for senior citizens. Hartford Financial Services Group offers a 15% discount on homeowner policies for those 50 or older and not working.

Hotels

• Marriott International Inc. has recently announced that they would triple the number of their hotels that offer airline miles and more than double the number of miles patrons can earn. This was done as a competitive measure to match similar increases from Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. Marriott's Chairman J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr. stated that further enhancements to the program might be forthcoming this spring. Effective Oct.4 there will be 34 airlines participating in the Marriott Rewards Program. In the participating hotels all items charged at the hotel will be included in the program. Not all of the Marriott hotels will participate in the program so check with your individual hotel beforehand.
  
  
• Hilton, Sheraton, Red Roof Inns, Howard Johnson and Ramada all offer discounts, although some of the above require membership.

http://www.redroof.com/promotions/seniors.asp

Miscellaneous

National Park Service Golden Age Passport: (10/8/05)- Seventeen sites in the National Park Service's inter mountain region will raise entrance fees in 2006. Under the new rate schedule, a week long vehicle pass at Yellowstone would rise to $25 from $20. Other increases range from as little as $1 for week long passes in places like Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico, to as much as $50 for annual passes in other areas.

Seniors 62 or older can buy a $10 lifetime pass entitling them to free admission to all National Parks, monuments, forests and recreational areas. Anyone in the vehicle gets in free also. The passport can be purchased at any national park. The pass also entitles holders to a 50% discount on use fees charged in park areas.


Restaurants

Many restaurants offer senior discounts. Below are listed some of my favorites. If you happen to be lucky to have grand children, and they are with you when you eat, some places offer a "kid's eat for free" special. That's sure to save you some hard earned cash!

McDonald's (55 and over)
Small drink is 42 cents.

Arby's (55 and over)
Small drink (16 oz.) is 25 cents.

Burger King (55 and over)
Small drink is 27 cents.

Carl's Jr. (55 and over)
10 percent off your order.

Jack in the Box (55 and over)
50 cents off any size drink price.

Wendy's (55 and over)
10 percent off your order.

Travel

Amtrak: 15% discount if 62 or older.

http://www.amtrak.com/

Here's a search for 100 different top travel sites (offering senior discounts) at a time. You can check for airline flights, hotels, cars and vacation packages, with one click.

http://www.sidestep.com/

Don't forget to ask about a senior discount. Often times it's available, and you don't know it. Yesterday, I went through "Del Taco" and placed an order. I wasn't thinking, but I guess I look my age, because the person taking my order asked me if I was a senior and wanted the senior discount. I said yes, and was given 10% off my order! If any of you have other areas where you know of that seniors are offered discounts, let me know.