(BPT) – This year, consumers are estimated to spend $831, on average, or more than $184 billion on holiday gifts. It can be the most wonderful – but expensive – time of the year with all the travel, meal preparation and gift gifting occasions, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to go over your budget. There are many ways to save, and if you’re an AARP member, you have access to a range of deals on products and services to take advantage of as you dive into holiday preparations.
‘There’s so much to look forward to from Thanksgiving through the New Year, from spending time with friends and family to eating homemade and traditional food, and shopping for friends and family,’ said Trae Bodge, Smart Shopping Expert at truetrae.com. ‘Smart holiday shoppers make their list early, compare prices among retailers and take advantage of the best deals and discounts, including benefits available to AARP members, which can offer additional savings on travel, gifts, and gatherings that take place during the holiday season.’
Here are three smart saving tips to keep in mind as you plan, buy, and gather over the next few months:
1. Travel Smart. If your holiday gatherings require you to travel out of town, consider renting a larger vehicle from Budget to give you more space. This is helpful for carpooling and provides room if you have gifts to bring home. AARP members can save up to 30% off base rates or up to 35% when selecting Pay Now and receive a 3% credit to apply to rentals within 12 months. Members can also get an upgrade on compact through full-size car class bookings (based on availability), an additional driver at no cost and more. Plus, for a limited time, rent an SUV for as low as $59 per day. As you prepare to travel out of town, it’s a good idea to make sure your home is safe and secure – not just for uninvited guests, but in case of appliance or weather-related incidents. ADT™ Home Security can provide AARP members and their families peace of mind with its smart home security options while saving 5% on monthly monitoring that covers your smart home security systems including intrusion monitoring, connected smoke and carbon dioxide detection, and smart automation from video doorbells and security cameras to smart locks.
Before you hit the road, stop by an Exxon™ or Mobil™ station to fill up the tank and grab some snacks. Linking your ExxonMobil Rewards+™ account to your AARP membership means you earn extra points every day on things you already buy, like fuel, car washes and convenience store items, and two times the points on fuel on member days. AARP members who are new to the Exxon Mobil Rewards+™ program will also receive a 500-point bonus ($5 in savings) after their first fill-up to redeem towards fuel or convenience store items. Every 100 points you earn is the equivalent of $1 in savings on eligible purchases.
While staying with family and friends can be fun, it’s also nice to give yourself a holiday treat by having a private space to relax and unwind after a long day of festivities. Hilton has you covered with locations and price ranges around the world. AARP members can take advantage of their current limited time offer and get up to 17% off the Best Available Rate* when you book your next stay at least 7 days in advance. Members can also get late checkout until 2 p.m. when available. Hilton has 22 brands including Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hampton by Hilton, and DoubleTree by Hilton.
2. Gift Thoughtfully. Even if gift giving is your love language, it can become a stressful task. A trend that has become popular both as a gift and a bonding experience is tracing the family roots. With Ancestry, AARP members can save 30% on the first year of an All Access or a World Explorer subscription and get access to records and online tools to search, save and share their family history. Plus, for a limited time, take advantage of 40% off the AncestryDNA® kit.
If staying local this holiday season, make sure you stay connected with those you care about. It’s important to keep in touch with loved ones who live far away, especially during this time of year. The holidays can be a tough time for some, and knowing a loved one is just a phone call away can help ease those holiday blues. Help stay connected with AT&T – now through November 30, AARP Members can get $100 in credits per line when you switch and purchase a smartphone. Plus save $10/mo./line on the AT&T Unlimited Premium® plan which includes unlimited talk, text and high-speed data.
3. Make Your Gathering Welcoming, Bright and Cheerful. One of the best parts of the gathering season is spending time with those who make us laugh and feel loved – while enjoying delicious food and drinks. If you’re hosting a gathering at your home, plan your menu early, and pro tip: order your charcuterie boards, chocolates, and table centerpieces from Flowers by FTD to make your shopping and setup easy. The bonus is that AARP members automatically save 25% sitewide on flowers and 30% on select items with promo code AARP30. No minimum purchase amount is required. Same-day delivery is available by local florists.
Planning, buying, and gathering for the festive season can take some time and prep work, but holiday memories can last a lifetime and it’s good to remember there are ways to find some silver linings in savings. Check out aarp.org/holiday to view more benefits available to AARP members.
AARP member benefits are provided by third parties. AARP receives a royalty fee for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. Provider offers are subject to change and may have restrictions.
