Discounts just for getting old

Seniors can pay less for many consumer items and services, but they may not always know what's available. Here are some of the better deals.

By Liz Weston, MSN Money

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74Comments
CptHardRock
Apr 21, 2012 2:09PM
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You folks are such cry babies.  This article is just to enlighten you about potential discounts as a senior american but no, most of you which may I add are or will be excepting medicare from our government that was bought and paid for from the blood of our military which allows this experiment of a democracy to continue, you want to play the political game of divisiveness.   As a military guy and a senior citizen, I am proud of our country and the abundant benefits as an american, I respect all races and religions.  I am grateful that we have organizations and a government that will do the right things based on individual rights.  So, shut up complaining and if you do not like what your representatives in government are doing or not, then vote them out.  Please leave your hatred at home and enjoy the good old US of America.   As a final note, my observation of many who complain are not free thinkers, they just regurgitate what they hear on the hate mongering so called news channels.  Get some good old fashion education.  If you don't like to hear the truth, just kiss it..............   You know what I mean.......... 
Another oldguy
Apr 21, 2012 2:09PM
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What if you are one of the millions of senior americans that can't stand AARP's politics and opt to NOT be an AARP member.  There are other alternatives..... address them.
hemiguy
Apr 21, 2012 1:58PM
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i joined aarp when i hit 50(quite a few years ago)..found out the discounts given are off the FULL price of the item(airline tickets, electronics etc.) and it was actually cheaper to buy when the item was on sale at the store or using off peak times for travel. only wasted the enrollment fee ONCE.
North America (changeisgood419)
Apr 21, 2012 1:28PM
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This is a poorly written and "lazy" article. No real deals for 50 years olds and nothing really noteworthy that could not have been obtained by googling in under 5 minutes. Tell us something we dont know already.
Ron K B
Apr 21, 2012 1:08PM
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We seniors have toiled to build this country and its nice to be respected as so by various companies with a discount on their offered goods and/or services.  However, I'll be damned if in order to be offered a discount I must be a member of a crappy organization such as AARP.  To be a member or required to join some form of membership specific to the company making the offer is just and fair;  to be required to be a member of some other God forsaken organization to receive benefit causes me to boycott and not patronize that business establishment.  My age came to me granted by the grace of God and nature, not AARP and etc.  Respect me for my attained age and self not some worthless membership requirement which is the height of age discrimination.

 

Enjoy! and keep the wheels of your walkers well oiled my fellow speedsters.

Amber 1948
Apr 21, 2012 3:02PM
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I was with you till you mentioned AARP.  Sorry pal but this is the most liberal and anti American organization in the USA I'd rather starve thanks!
gail eaton
Apr 21, 2012 12:18PM
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This article is great for those seniors who eat at McDonalds, ride the Greyhound on vacation, and shop at the local thrift store but how many wallet minded seniors really do this? Obviously the writer has never taken a trip via Greyhound bus. The name of the article is catchy but the content is weak. It is true that there are many discounts to be found when your over fifty but you have to do your homework to find them.....something this writer obviously did not do.

 

lostFluke
Apr 21, 2012 9:48AM
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AARP always mails insurance promises not caring it is non existant. Pre existing conditions little as a sneeze knock us out of United Care, their favored. Too many offers that are 10% and up, but are just 10%. Waste of money and papers in the mail..junk mail.
marc johnson (menmx99)
Apr 21, 2012 2:14PM
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When AARP  starte their liberal crap   They lost me.  Like I need their Chit.

Trebor171
Apr 21, 2012 8:52AM
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I'll admit it, I have used the AARP hotel discounts, and rental car discounts quite a bit in the past.  I don't travel as much now.  Never paid much attention to their politics, just thought they worked for the Senior citizen in areas of job discrimination, housing, etc.  But they got involved with this Obama care just like congress, WITHOUT READING OR UNDERSTANDING IT.  My biggest problem is the hidden taxes and fees, and the fact that you're forced to purchase something from a FOR PROFIT business.  A lot of my hard feelings for Obama care would go away if insurance was a public utility, regulated to the hilt and non profit. These European countries with universal health care don't force for profit businesses down the throat of the citizens.  Can you imagine what happens to a business when their customers are forced to buy their product.  You don't have to worry about customer service, you have a captive audience. You don't have to watch costs, they'll always be new customers, etc.,etc.
Gary Shaw
Apr 21, 2012 7:18AM
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Why are Seniors being coerced into belonging to AARP?  Everyone knows that AARP is an ultra-liberal organization that has hoodwinked many of our older citizens into paying a membership fee, only to be used to support the liberal political community.  I will never join AARP, and feel the various business'es who support them are discriminating against conservative Seniors.
Dorian Golub
Apr 21, 2012 8:31AM
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I use Virgin Mobile and pay $30.00/month for 1500 minutes.  I am not a member of AARP because I understand they pushed against single payer since they are one of the parasitic insurance companies that benefit from the system as it is.  I find it very interesting -- they say with age comes wisdom -- but the comments I see here indicate that's not always the case.  If the 1% stabbed each other in the back as much as working people do, we wouldn't have a problem with them in this country.  We were fortunate to be founded in this country by freethinkers who wanted to separate religion and government, but too many people seem to want to live in a theocracy.  I suggest if that's their wish, move to Iran or Saudi Arabia -- please.  If you've lived in this world over 50 years, I would love to believe that you have the common sense to choose programs that benefit you, not those you need to stick a label on.  Some people just age, but never mature.
Spooker
Apr 21, 2012 3:48PM
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Yes, Obamacare will bankrupt the country rather quickly but more importantly, it will give the government complete control over all the people which is what they have been striviing for.  Have you read the bill?  All 2000 pages?  Do you know it will give the government the right to take money directly from your checking account whenever they think you owe them something?  Did you know it actually states illegal immigrants will have free health care paid for by the American taxpayer?  Perhaps some of you dems should read the actual bill.  It is REALLY SCARY!!!!!  It will end America as we know it.
shaunadear
Apr 21, 2012 1:16PM
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most of these discounts are for 55-60 and up, not just over 50!  (misleading) Best senior and otherwise discount would be to put Congress & all politicians on an allowance and keep it that way! Give the middle man back his ground, otherwise we're headed  to the poorhouse, and will be either the very poor or the very rich! And you can see it already!
merewings
Apr 21, 2012 1:20PM
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Man, if the people in this country would put spend half of their energy in trying to work together on issues, instead of being racist or so negative about everything, i wonder where we would be.  everyone wants to blame President Obama  for everything when the country was jacked up before he took over.  if the republicans would try to work with the democrats instead of trying to sabotage or go against everything the democrats do or even the democrats going against everything the republicans want to do instead of coming together and working toward a compromise to benefit the american citizen instead of worrying about who is in office or what party has the all the power.  after all, i thought we are americans, no matter what color our skin is.  Can we just stop all the hatrid.  we have enough non americans that hate our guts and they don't care what color your skin is, if you are american, they will cut your head off.  STOP all the HATRID.
Sheeps
Apr 21, 2012 7:14AM
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If you go somewhere that offers a senior discount, ask for it.  Don't make the salesperson guess your age.  And when we don't give you the discount, don't be upset because you assumed we knew how old you are.  Our boss doesn't let us give you a discount unless you request it.  No, you do not look 25, so don't be so flattered.
Keys Steve
Apr 21, 2012 6:11AM
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Wow Liz, not a lot of research went into writing this. You could have spent a little time on this article and given the readers some substance. But instead, this looks like a 5 minute article with no detail.  How about 50 and older free checking at certain banks, 50 and over 10% at Wendy's, etc. There is so much you could have done for your readers when they clicked to read. Instead your basically telling us seniors to call around and check for discounts......Dah!  Like so much of your writing, your review and advise on issues is flat and without any detail. I see you as the author and usually don't waste my time clicking to read. I made the mistake today of not noticing who wrote it until I was done, thought about how stupid the article was, and then saw your name. Step it up Liz. 
Fritz1937
Apr 21, 2012 10:56AM
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I've been reading posts on a number of topics recently, and it is scaring the **** out of me.  Is everyone who writes these a paranoid?  Is AARP really a card-carrying, left-leaning, anti-American, Communistic organization?  Is Obamacare going to bankrupt this country? 

Good luck, folks.  I'm 75 and down to my last kidney, so I won't be around to see how this plays out.  Like I say, Good luck!

2481
Jun 26, 2012 9:17PM
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Hello,

Your articles indicate that one must join aarp to take advantage of the savings.

 

What a rip off aarp is and I am shocked you would be partners with them.

 

Terrible information.

mhender
Apr 12, 2012 5:39AM
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I just turned 50...Bring on the savins!!!!
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