Three Ways to Tweak Retirement Spending to Save on What Matters Most

(BPT) – Big economic changes can, and should, prompt big changes in individuals’ personal financial habits. That can look different from household to household but changing economic conditions doesn’t mean depriving yourself of what makes life enjoyable — much less healthy — especially at the retirement stage of life.With the help of AARP Member Benefits, retirees can save on the everyday essentials — such as buying prescriptions, traveling to important life events, and staying connected with friends and family — so they can relax and enjoy this period of their lives while still having savings to continue enjoying their retirement well into the future.Here are three ways you can tweak your retirement spending and save on what matters most:1. Make Savvy Savings Choices on Essential Health and Wellness ProductsFocusing on your health and well-being, including mental and physical health, is a necessity for anyone 50+, but the right savings options are available to keep costs low. Stay up to date on medical appointments, including eye exams, to evaluate any vision loss or early signs of disease. If correction is needed, members and their families can access exclusive discounts from AARP® Vision Discounts Provided by EyeMed at participating retailers and independent provider locations nationwide, as well as online. Members save 50% on prescription lenses with the purchase of a frame at LensCrafters, 30% on complete pair of glasses (frames and lenses) at Glasses.com, and an additional $10 on a complete pair at Target Optical.If you’re an AARP member, you have access to a free prescription discount card from AARP® Prescription Discounts Provided by Optum Rx® that can be used at over 66,000 pharmacies nationwide for savings on all FDA-approved medications. The program is open to anyone, but AARP members have access to additional benefits, including deeper discounts on medications, home delivery, coverage for dependents and more.You can look to Walgreens when stocking up on your everyday beauty care essentials and vitamins. When members link their AARP membership and myWalgreens® account, they can earn 10% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens-branded health and wellness products. AARP members also receive 7% Walgreens Cash rewards on Walgreens branded beauty and personal care products and 3% Walgreens Cash rewards on all other qualifying beauty and personal care products.2. Hit the Open Road at a Low Cost with Gas DiscountsOne of the most enjoyable parts of retirement is being able to hit the road for those once-in-a-lifetime vacations or to visit friends and family. With that said, it’s in the best interest of your retirement savings to do this without breaking the bank. If you’re driving, there are ways to save on the high cost of gas prices that many aren’t aware of — through your AARP membership. Members can link their AARP membership with their Exxon Mobil Rewards+TM account to earn extra points on fuel, car washes and convenience store items, and you’ll earn 2x the points on fuel on member days. Every 100 points you earn is the equivalent of $1 in savings on eligible purchases. And when you become an Exxon Mobil Rewards+ member, you receive a 500-point welcome bonus — that’s a five-dollar value — after your first fill-up. If you’re going to fill up anyway, why not save while you’re at it?3. Connect with Loved Ones at Your Leisure by Keeping Cell Phone Costs LowHaving more time to connect with family and friends is one of the great pleasures of retirement. You can find so much joy in catching up with your child, grandchild, or close friends via a daily or weekly phone call. Paying for a phone service is a necessary expense, but there are hacks to saving on this monthly cost. AARP members can save 5% on monthly service and usage charges and 30% on accessories with Consumer Cellular. Talk, text, and data plans start at $20 per month per line, require no contract, and include free activation and an extended risk-free guarantee. In addition, AARP members can get unlimited talk, text and data for two lines for just $55/month. Make sure you enter or mention your AARP membership number or card at Target stores to access these savings and enjoy your conversations stress free.Retirees can easily adjust their plans to ensure they don’t miss out on the moments that matter most, such as spending time with loved ones or taking an unforgettable vacation. The discounts and savings from AARP member benefits can help you enjoy the special moments in life during retirement without compromising on the flexibility and security you deserve. Check out aarp.org/save to view more benefits and savings available to AARP members.Neither AARP nor its affiliates is the insurer. AARP and its affiliates are not insurance producers, agents or brokers, and do not sell or service insurance products. AARP member benefits are provided by third parties, not by AARP or its affiliates. Providers pay a royalty fee to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Some provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the provider directly for details.