We all have rainy days.  Having a little pot of savings is like always having an umbrella in your car.  Not only that – Ben Franklin was absolutely spot on when he said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”  Those saved pennies can be used for investments that can grow into wealth.

My friend Larry is a financial guru.  He believes in putting aside some money in a savings account for spending before any other bi-weekly expenses or expenditures.  That way, if something comes up that his son or wife wants, they take a look at the balance of that account, and many times he can say, not yet.  We used to say, “Bum bye” (= laters).  Sometimes laters never comes, or you change your mind and find something else you want.  It’s good discipline and different from the instant gratification of credit cards going crazy.

Rich Dad also believes in paying yourself first.  Three “piggy banks” – 10% to savings, 10% to investment, 10% to charity, tithing.  Even starting small with $10 in each account, or even 5¢ from the kids’ allowances will improve your life and life long habits.  It is blessed to give, and smart to save, and even smarter to invest.

Another way to save is to spend less.  I have learned mantras that I will use the next time I go in to buy a car.  Below are other ways to spend less.

Zippy’s has a great site that changes every other week for coupon savings off of specials.  (sometimes they do not have coupons)

Are you a “couponer?”  Aunty used to cut out those discount saving coupons from newspapers and magazines in the old days.  Now they are available online.  A great website for finding them is MrsCarrigan.com.

MrMealDeal.com is a great website for discounts at various restaurants in town.  Or, you can pick your own city in the USA.  Print out the coupons and please pay attention to the expiration as well as the specifics of each offer.

Island Burger in Ala Moana, Tuesday kids eat free.  For every adult ordering an entrée 2 kids eat free.  Yes, 2 not just 1!

Show your AAA card at Crocs Stores, and get 20% off!  I love my Crocs!  I now have leopard printed Crocs, but found out that AAA and Crocs no longer have a discount deal together.  Sometimes the nice sales staff will let you get a discount if a special is running.

Groupon is a great way to get daily deals sent to you.  If you are interested in signing up, please use the link on the ads bar on this page.  That way I get $10 credit when you first join.  I have used it to get a $50 Nordstrom Rack certificate for $25 – not too shabby since that is also one of my favorite stores.  I also just purchased a $15 certificate for Kaimuki Grill for $7, more than half off!  [update:  I purchased a hair removal (lol, tmi) certificate that I knew I wouldn’t be able to use before the expiration date, contacted customer service via email, and was immediately refunded so I now have a credit balance in my account!  THAT’S great service and reflects a great company.]  Another great thing about Groupon is that they send you reminder emails to use your coupons – good for someone like me who forgets things more and more.

Speaking of Kaimuki Grill, google search Kaimuki Grill coupon and it will take you to a coupon site, pretty neat place where you can search by categories for places that may have coupons!  Going there with some great friends soon, and we’ll be saving 10%!

If you go to your local USPS post office, ask for their address change packet.  In it you will find a 10% off coupon from Lowe’s, or click here and download a printable coupon.

Get a CVS card (stores are still called Longs Drugs here in Hawaii) and get a credit of 3% when you show the card to the cashier before they begin processing your purchases.  Not quite sure how that works, but every little bit counts!  And have a mainland friend get that pretty green leaf that you attach on a shopping bag so you get credited 25¢ each time you use your own bag for your purchases (limit of 1 credit per day)  Boohoo, CVS does not honor the leaf credit anymore.  Still, the CVS card will get you built up credits and nice discounts from time to time.

Cardpool.com is a great place to get gift cards that are discounted.  Choose your favorites and they will email you when your choices become available.  Aunty likes the Ross gift cards and uses them on senior Tuesdays to get an even bigger discount!

Senior discounts where it pays to be older.  Very nice to be rewarded this way!

More senior discounts, or updated ones for you!

Some mainland discounts for our generation.

Travel saving tips  to share with you.  I feel like a veteran traveler now that I go to Vegas and California at least 3 times a year.  Aunty loves flying on Hawaiian Airlines, and now I am an affiliate of them!  So please use the banner or ad link that you see on this page to book your flight on Hawaiian, and Aunty will make 1.5%!

Mercedes GLK, Aunty’s potential next car……

From Jason Leister of Early to Rise, I have learned a mantra that I shall incorporate the next time I bargain for our next car.

You see, I am always looking for the next good used car to own.  Since I have yet to find the perfect vehicle, I show up at dealer sales and often times surprise Uncle with “our” new used car in the driveway.  Most of the time, Uncle is not happy with my choices, but since I am the one who will be driving that vehicle the most, he learns to be okay about it.

However, I’ve always felt that I could have done better in the deal (after the fact).  So, when an article by Jason Leister entitled “The Promise” arrived in my email, I found 2 golden nuggets of information to help me deal with those car salesmen.

Here are two mantras for every sales negotiation that Jason has provided.  He says to repeat these to yourself until you feel them. (Generating the feeling is really the key.)

1.  I don’t need the business.

2.  I don’t need the money.

These are great mantras when you are on the other side of the table as the person selling something of value to someone else (called positioning).  However, turn them around when dealing with a person selling you something, and it will look like this:

1.  I don’t need that car.

2.  I don’t need to spend my money today.

If you can really really believe and feel those 2 mantras when you are in negotiation for what you want, you are in control, and 1) will be able to drive out with a great deal, or 2) walk away knowing you did great realizing that there will be other deals out there for you.

This also works with real estate negotiations.  When it is a property that I really really want, I make offers that I shouldn’t.  When I can pull my emotions out of the picture and say to myself that I really don’t have to have that house, and I don’t need to buy it today, I am better able to set a price (and stick to it).  That can make a difference between a great deal vs an okay deal.

I am actually very excited to try this new mindset with my two new mantras when I go looking for our next car.  Hopefully Uncle will be pleased with it the next time I show up in a different car.

Subject:  Senior Discounts

Gone are the days of your grandmother’s “early bird special” at the local
diner. As our baby boomers reach retirement age, hundreds of retailers are
featuring new and improved discounts exclusively for the 60 (and even 50+) and
older crowd. We have composed a list of senior savings that will help you keep
more cash in your pocket. Whoever said getting older was a bad thing, obviously
didn’t know about these fantastic senior discounts!
Restaurants
* Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
* Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
* Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
* Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
* Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
* Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
* Burger King: 10% off (60+)
* Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
* Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
* Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
* CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
* Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
* Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
* Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
* Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
* Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
* Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
* Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
* Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
* IHOP: 10% off (55+)
* Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
* KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
* Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
* Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
* McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
* Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
* Shoney’s: 10% off
* Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
* Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+))
* Subway: 10% off (60+)
* Sweet Tomatoes 10% off (62+)
* Taco Bell: 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)))
* TCBY: 10% off (55+)
* Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
* Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
* Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)

* Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)

* White Castle: 10% off (62+)

Uncle and I discovered that as seniors we could catch any Metro bus before 3:00 pm for 25¢ in Pasadena.  Probably work in other part of Los Angeles – ask for it!
Retail and Apparel%
* Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
* Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
* Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+))))
* Big Lots: 10% off
* Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
* C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
* Clarks: 10% off (62+)
* Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
* Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
* Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
* Kmart: 20% off (50+)
* Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
* Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
* Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
* Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
* The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
* Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month
(55+).
Grocery
* Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
* American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
* Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
* DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
* Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
* Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every
Monday (55+)
* Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
* Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
* Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
* Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
* Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
* Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
* The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
* Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
* Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
* Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)
Travel
* Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
* Alamo: up to 25% off for AARP members
* American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking
for discount)
* Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
* Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
* Best Western: 10% off (55+)
* Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
* Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Continental: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club &
special fares for select destinations
* Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
* Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
* Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
* Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
* Hertz: up t0 25% off for AARP members
* Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
* Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
* InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
* Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30%
off (60+)
* Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
* Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
* Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
* National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
* Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
* Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before
booking for discount)
* Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
* United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before
booking for discount)
* U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking
for discount)
Activities & Entertainment
* AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
* Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
* Busch Gardens Tampa: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
* Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
* Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
* U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services
including camping (62+)
* Regal Cinemas: 30% off
* Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
* SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)

This is good info if you are a senior – that is, 55 and up.  Some of these discounts are for 60 year olds.  It “pays” to be old, lol.

Most of these places don’t ask to see your ID.  Just look and act old.

Place                         Age                        Day                              Discount

Ross                            55                      Tuesdays                     10% off everything

Foodland                    60                     Thursdays               10% off everything until 4/28/11 (now it is 5% off groceries until 10/28/11)

Price Busters             55                       Tuesdays                   10% off everything

Flora Dec Sales         55                       Everyday                   10% off regular prices

Leonard’s Bakery      Kamaaina           Mondays                   10% off

Don Quijote               60                      Tuesdays                  10% off regular, 5% off electronics

Zippy’s                       65 ID                     Everyday                    10% off with Senior Card except for specials or with coupons (The Senior Card is $2.00 annually but can be renewed for $0.99 in Sept. at the Senior Citizen Fair, at the NBC.)

Hilo  Hatties               Kamaaina              Everyday                 25% off Hilo Hattie label, 15% off Non-Hilo Hattie label, 10% off Hilo Hattie food

Longs Sr. Advantage card if you have one  Everyday           10% off CVS products and Hallmark cards, discount on prescriptions if not covered by your drug plan

St.  Germaine Bakery    60                 Wednesdays            10% off everything except specials

Pagoda, Maple Garden, Willows,  Prince Court and Hakone, Makinochaya                            age 60?               10% off

Oceanarium, PBH         65                  Tues. and Wed.           Between 4:30 and 5:30 pm – 2 for 1 dinners, Regular price is $38.95

Thurs. and Fri.             Lunch is $12.50 for Sr.

McDonald’s, Burger King, Jack In The Box Sr. coffee and soft drinks,     age 55

Shirokiya                                                Wednesdays

Kahala Mall Hallmark                        Tuesdays                    Mark’s Hallmark Cards – 20%

Kahala Mall Compleat Kitchen – 10% discount on Tuesdays between 10 am and 12 noon for Seniors age 62+.

Consolidated and Regal Theatres           Everyday                     Sr. tickets – $7 or $7.50

DH Theatre,  Manoa Valley Theatre ,  HI Theatre

Big City Diner            65?                 7 – 9 AM                          Senior breakfast items offered
anytime                               You can add $1 to the Keiki menu and order from the keiki menu