18 Ways to Save Money on Your Shopping at 55+
These simple expert hacks will help you save big.
There are a few downsides to getting older – gray hair, wrinkles, and increased health problems included. Luckily, there are many other things that sweeten the deal of aging. One of them? There are lots of ways to save money on shopping for everything from groceries and clothes to vacations, explains Cassandra Happe, WalletHub analyst. Here are 10 money saving tips for people over 55.
If you are over 55, don't try to tackle health insurance on your own. "One can optimize their savings by consulting a Medicare broker," says Happe.
Many restaurants and stores honor older adults by offering them great deals. Happe suggests embracing senior discounts, which are often offered at restaurants, retails stores, and even in service oriented industries. Always inquire about them.
Joining membership associations catering to older adults can save you big, according to Happe. AARP should be top on your list.
Many stores offer special days and hours for seniors to shop. "Shop strategically on discount days," says Happe.
Did you know that most townships and cities offer special deals for seniors? "Explore community resources," says Happe.
According to Happe, learning how to negotiate bills can also save you money. Whether it is auto insurance or utilities, try and get a real live person to talk to.
Do you pay your membership bills or other revolving payments monthly? Happe suggests paying bills like car insurance annually, which often gets you a discount.
Do you shop at the same stores regularly? Leveraging loyalty programs can save and earn you lots of money and freebies, says Happe.
Rethink your approach to travel, says Happe. For example, traveling off-season or during the week can save you a lot of money. Do you love nature? "Invest in a National Parks pass," she recommends.
Back in the old days, you had to wait to get a newspaper or mailer to clip coupons. However, in the digital era couponing is much easier. "Download coupons from the internet," says Happe.
Most stores have designated days for seniors to shop and save. "When you are shopping for groceries, make sure to ask your grocer about available discounts for seniors or if there are days when seniors can save more or shop earlier in the day when it's not as crowded," says Bodge.
Bodge also recommends joining a wholesale club, like Sam's Club, BJ's, or Costco which can give you access to savings by buying in bulk, "which can be a good way to save on those items that you use regularly." If you are only shopping for yourself, consider joining with a friend and splitting up the items.
Instead of putting together a weekly meal plan and then doing your shopping, Bodge recommends browsing mailers and grocery store websites to find out what is one sale, and putting together your menu accordingly.
Once upon a time comparison shopping at grocery stores was almost impossible and involved physically going into various stores to see prices. Online shopping websites have made it a lot easier to do this. "It's all about comparing prices," says Happe.
Failing to plan meals ahead of time can result in wasting money on food that goes bad. Happe strongly suggests putting together a list of meals prior to shopping to avoid buying food that will end up in the trash.
The healthiest way to shop at a grocery store is to spend more time going around the outside, buying healthy proteins, dairy products, and produce – items that will keep you full longer compared to processed carbohydrates.
Ordering online and picking up your groceries is a great way to save money, says Bodge. Why? You are less likely to impulse shop.
RELATED: 2 Alternatives That Are Just As Beneficial as Walking 10,000 Steps
Bodge also suggests considering buying the store brand or generic versions of products. For example, store brand milk is generally at least $1 cheaper per gallon than a comprable brand name milk.
