For the longest time, I must sadly admit, I treated my AARP Magazine as junk mail. Because of what I have discovered I want to ask you a simple question – “Did you know that the AARP Magazine can save you money?” I realize, of course, that you may not be old enough to be involved with AARP, but when you reach the age of 49 (the age I joined) I would suggest that you join.
In the September/October 2010 issue there is a great section on 16 ways that AARP saves you money. I would like to list these here just in case you missed this article.
- Many of us have been coupon clippers for many years. It surely is a great feeling to check out at the store and find you have saved, in some cases, more than you have spent. And this happened just because you took the time to clip coupons. With the economy the way it is today, you cannot afford not to clip coupons. The AARP Grocery Coupon center offers coupons for more than just groceries. You can check these out at http://grocerycouponcenter.com.
- If you are like me, I am always looking for discounts at the national chain stores. These include Target, Sears, Kmart, and many others. The Everyday Savings Center is powered by Next Jump. You can find discounts on things from books, electronics, furniture and much more. For more information on this service check out http://everydaysavingscenter.com/deals.
- Nowadays, it is a blessing when we can find tips on low-cost home improvements, including no-cost ways to improve our energy usage. How many times do we find ourselves postponing a home improvement project because it is too expensive? AARP Magazine suggests checking out http://aarp.org/homeupdates.
- Often we forfeit going out to eat as it just does not fit in our budget. Denny’s offers a 20 percent savings off your check every day between the hours of 4 PM and 10 PM just by your showing your AARP card. (please note that this offer cannot be used with other promotional offers and this is valid only at participating Denny restaurants). You can also get coffee for yourself and your guests for $1.00. You can call your local Denny’s to check this out at 800-733-6697 or go to their website at http://dennys.com.
- I am most definitely going to be checking this “way to save” out myself. I did not participate in driver’s education when I was in high school but now AARP is offering the first and largest driver refresher course in the classroom and online. This will be at a discounted rate for AARP members. I have a spotless driving record but this could save me money. Check out the regulations in your state. Taking this course could very well save you money on your insurance premiums. For further information you can call 888-227-7669 or go to http://aarp.org/drive.
- Who does not like to travel? As our purse strings seem to be getting tighter it is more and more difficult to take those vacations we would like to. The AARP Travel Center powered by Expedia can help you with your domestic and international vacation packages, cruises, flights, hotels and rental cars. You can be eligible for discounts from most AARP Travel hotel and car providers, as well as receiving extra onboard credits on select cruises. In addition you will not be charged air or cruise booking fees. Check out 800-675-4318 or http://expedia-aarp.com for more information.
- And while you are on your way to the airport, perhaps you will need airport parking. You can save 10 percent at more than 130 off-site discount airport parking facilities operated by Park Ride Fly USA nationwide. They offer complimentary services that include curb-to-curb shuttle service to and from the airport, valet and/or self-parking and luggage assistance (this is an enormous help for sure). Call 877-503-7275 or log onto http://parkrideflyusa.com/aarp for more information.
- I do not know about you, but car and home insurance payments can take a big chunk out of your budget. If you insure your home and auto with the AARP Auto and Homeowners Insurance Program you can receive up to a ten percent discount on your homeowners-insurance rates and an additional fifteen percent on your auto insurance. Go to http://aarp.the.hartford.com/msb, or call 800-689-9089, code 440160 for specific information.
- If you are looking for ways to save on your cell phone plan, you can receive a free phone from Consumer Cellular when you sign up for a new service. With this program you will receive 5 percent off your monthly service and 30 percent off selected accessories. You will not have to sign up for a long term contract. Call 888-437-9226 or go to http://consumercellular.com/aarp.
- Who is not trying to become more physically fit? Visit AARP’s online fitness center for exercise news and motivational tips. You can join an online group, Fat2Fit, and be part of a group that has helped almost 4,000 people lose weight over the past year. If you would like more information on this program check out http://aarp.org/fit.
- Most people at this age are looking for ways to save money on eyewear. AARP has a program that can help you save on bifocals, trifocals, lens options and frames. You can realize these savings at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, JC Penney Optical and also at many private practitioners. These savings are offered through EyeMed Vision Care and for more information you can go to http://aarphealthcare.com or call 888-352-3924. These savings cannot be combined without other discounts.
- Health insurance is very expense and there are many people who cannot afford a health plan. This means that screening tests are not being performed. You can receive six free health tests for such things as bone density and cholesterol, through the AARP/Walgreens Wellness Tour. This program is visiting cities nationwide and in Puerto Rico through February 2011. Call 866-484-8687 or go http://aarpwalghreens.com/tour. By logging onto the website you can see where the tour will be going.
- Medications are another expense that many people are having difficulty affording. Check out AARP’s Doughnut Hole Calculator to find less expensive generic drugs. Those who have fallen to Medicare Part D’s “Doughnuthole” will receive a $250.00 rebate check from Medicare automatically this year. Check out http://aarp.org/doughnuthole for further information.
- (Also remember that if you are having difficulty affording your medications you can contact your drug’s manufacturer and check on their assistance program. Many pharmaceutical companies, depending on your income, will supply your medications free of charge. You will have to request the required forms and get your doctor’s approval and prescription request. This was not in the AARP Magazine, but I speak from previous experience!)
- Just because we have retired it does not mean that we still do not want to be active in the work force. We still have a lot of value to offer to the corporate world. If you are seeking no-cost job-search assistance or career counseling so you can maintain a marketable profile, AARP offers free advice and resources including career fairs and access to employers that are seeking workers 50 and older. If you require this type of service, check out http://aarp.org/work.
- If you have retired AARP offers free webinars with tips on how to better stretch your money and helps you with information on ways you can make ends meet. If you have not retired but are thinking about it, AARP can help you figure out how much you should be saving for retirement. Go to http://aarp.org/moneywebinars.
- Last, but definitely not least, AARP is always looking out for your interests in the halls of Congress and in all 50 statehouses.
AARP has fought to provide $250 in relief to Social Security recipients whose benefits were frozen this year.
AARP strives to protect and strengthen Social Security not only for you, but for generations to come.
Did you know that AARP saves consumers billions of dollars in home-energy costs by defending us against unfair rate hikes utility companies?
This is only a very small portion of the plethora of information that is included in the AARP Magazine. There is so much value in this magazine, including health, money, motivational articles, etc. this was just the tip of the iceberg. This is by no means “junk mail”, and do not throw it away before reading it from cover to cover.
I hope that this information is helpful to you. Please share this information with others so they will know that the AARP Magazine can save them money and how the AARP Organization is working to help us. This is so very important, especially during the economical conditions of our country.
Happy Savings!
Judy Conway
Email: judyconwaymarketing@gmail.com
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2009 is coming to an end. How many of us have met our weight loss resolutions? Why did you not lose weight in 2009? It is so very hard. I want to encourage you that you still have 52 more days to still chisel away at those pounds! Do not give up! Just keep your goal in sight.
I know that I am not about to give up. I might not have lost all the weight I had set forth to lose, but at least I have not gained. To me that is a plus. Even if you finish out the year having lost only 10 or so pounds, you have done well. Congratulations! It is a beginning for more weight loss in 2010.
I have been on a diet since I was 13 years old. I have lost myself time and time again. I did have one short spell in my life for about three or four years where I had lost about 70 pounds and had kept it off.
Alas, then came divorce, I became a single mom, had a hysterectomy and quit smoking. What was I ever thinking? Bit by bit those pounds crept back on. I have tried the same diets I have gone on in the past and lost weight. The only difference is they are not working any more.
I look at people around me on the same diet I am doing and they are losing and I am not losing an ounce. Why? It is so very frustrating. Have you ever been in that situation?
Recently I read an article in the First for Women magazine, their November 16th, 2009 issue, entitled, “Always Craving Carbs?”. This article has confirmed to me what I have discovered lately.
You see, I have a Metabolism problem, and have even been diagnosed with insulin resistance. I have followed to the tee eating programs given to me by a nutritionist at my physician’s office. No progress whatsoever. I often feel that people are looking at me are thinking, “Yeah, right, she has got to be cheating on her program.” Trust me I am not. Lately, I discovered that carbohydrates are affecting me differently than they do other people.
This article deals with a book written by Diane Kress, R.D., titled, “The Metabolism Miracle”. She goes into detail about the fact that everyone is not a Metabolism A person. There are about 46% of us who fall into the alternative Metabolism B Category. This means that our bodies will not respond to the same diet program that a Metabolism A person’s body does. This is probably why the plan my nutritionist gave me did not work.
There are three steps to this program. I have just begun Step One which will last for eight weeks. This will be a low carb period to rest my overworked pancreas and liver while shrinking fat cells. During this period there should be a decrease in cholesterol (hurray), triglycerides (double hurray), blood sugar and blood pressure.
I am going to be devoted to this program for many reasons. Mainly, I do not want to live my life with deteriorating health conditions, increased medications and possibly insulin. Even as I write these words, it only confirms that this is a matter of life or death to me. I am 63 years old and have a lot more years I want to spend with my family and to be able to watch my grandchildren grow up and start their lives. I might be selfish, but I do not want to miss out on those times. My family is very important to me. It has been the glue that has held my life together.
Here are a few clues that you might have Metabolism B:
Of course, before you embark on this or any diet program, check with your doctor. At least get a full blood workup so you will be able to check you numbers and make a decision for yourself that this could be an answer to your weight problem.
I will be keeping you posted on my blog as to my progress. I have not had success with my physician’s guidance, or lack thereof, in losing weight. I do know that a lot of my symptoms are outlined in “The Metabolism Miracle” and I just cannot walk away from it without giving it a try.
I am also using Leslie Sansone’s, “Walk Away the Pounds Express” DVD which gives me a brisk two mile walk that amounts to thirty minutes of increased heart rate.
I am looking forward to welcoming 2010 on the road to better health. I will also have been able to lose weight in 2009! I am not going to be asking myself the same question this time next year, “Why did you not lose weight in 2010?” I hope that this has been helpful to you. Please feel free to comment and if you choose to try this program, let me know how you are doing. We can all encourage to one another.
Blessings,
Judy Conway
Skype ID: judy.conway