Freebies, Discounts and Money-Saving Deals

With the price of, well, everything continuing to rise, I thought I would put together a list of deals and discounts that I've found.  Note, some of these are specifically for low-income people.  Also, a lot of state and federal programs change their qualifiers quite often so, for example, if you checked out the max income for SNAP benefits a couple years ago, there's a good chance that the qualifying income may have changed since then so be sure to check out their page again just to see if you qualify now.

• SNAP/EBT/Food Stamps.  For people who are having a hard time affording the skyrocketing cost of food these days, check with your state website and see if you qualify for food benefits.
  
• WIC.  This is a similar food program but it is specifically for women, infants, and children.
• Food pantries.  If you are really in need of food, check out your local food pantries. There are often several food pantries in your nearby area which offer a wide range of food for those in need.
  
• Free government cell phone and plan.  This varies by state so just Google your state and free government cell phone (the link is from my state) and see if you qualify.
• Mint Mobile.  If you don't qualify for a free cell phone plan, Mint Mobile is only $15 a month and is available to everyone.  We have used this plan for a few years and love it!  We just pay for the plan once a year and don't have to worry about billing for an entire year.
• Free high-speed internet.  This is an offer for low income folks which was put together by the federal government.
• Over the air TV.  While we don't qualify for free internet, we did cut out cable TV and now have an internet-only plan because we get all of the TV stations we need (about 80 stations) with a simple $15 OTA TV antenna which we bought at Best Buy.
• Cheap internet service.  Unfortunately our internet service isn't as cheap as we would like it to be since Cox is the only high-speed service provider in our area but we did do many of the things in the linked article like buying our own modem/router and regularly checking the Cox website for cheaper plans in order to get a pretty good deal on our internet plan.
• Other viewing options.  We really do have too many viewing options even without cable TV.  We have a basic Netflix account (there is an even cheaper Netflix option that was just launched), plus I sometimes watch Pluto TV and Tubi online for some specific shows I like.  Some friends swear by Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, and Chromecast but I haven't tried any of those.  I've also heard of people signing up for an initially discounted Apple TV/Paramount Plus/Disney+ plan then stopping that plan with the initial offer ends and switching to another discounted initial plan offering.
• The library.  We have an amazing library system that I absolutely love.  I've downloaded thousands of free ebooks to my Kindle app, they also offer free online magazines and newspapers as well and movies and music.  The library system itself is amazing--they always have free classes and events which are open to the community, they also offer free access to their DJ/podcasting booth and teach people how to make their own music, podcasts, and videos!
• Government tax exemptions.  You can google your local city/county/state along with 'tax exemption/abatement programs' and see what they offer.  In our case (example in link) we save more than a thousand dollars a year on our vehicle registration fees and property tax!  We also made sure we set our property tax cap correctly as well as filed for a homestead exemption.
  
• National Parks Passes.  We live by several national parks so hubby got a lifetime senior pass (back when we got it, the cost was $20--and it's good for a lifetime!).  We also got a discounted state park pass since hubby is a senior.  One of the best deals I've heard about for a state parks pass is in New Mexico where you can camp for an entire year at their state parks for only $225!
• Free camping.  Speaking of highly discounted camping, the linked website shows you where all of the free camping spots are around the country.  You can also camp for free in state forests and on DNR land.  Other camping options include super cheap camping at LTVAs and, probably as a last resort, Slab City.
• Birthday Freebies.  While you probably don't want to overindulge by signing up for all of these programs, it's nice to see your inbox fill up with offers for free yummy gifts on your birthday.
• Help paying bills.  If you need help paying your bills--everything from utilities to housing and more--the linked aptly named website will point you to programs that help people with this.  Note you can also google your area and 'utility bill help' or 'medial bill assistance' and will probably get lots of links for nearby assistance programs.
• Low-cost and free prescriptions.  Prescription medications are ridiculously expensive these days!  Fortunately there are some programs that can help people out.
• Free clinics.  Speaking of medical care, the linked website can direct you to free and low-cost healthcare in your area.  In our area we have a few free clinics, a university dental school that offers highly discounted dental care, and if you live in a border area you might be able to save big on medical and dental needs just by crossing the border.
• Homeless services.  If you google your city/county/state and 'homeless resources' you may find a huge list of resources like the linked list which has info on all kinds of help and resources for those in need (for most things you need not actually be homeless).
• Veterans resources.  I'm just using veterans as an example but you can google your specific category (elderly resources, Native American resources, addiction help resources, etc) and come up with loads of links for help with your particular issue.
  
• 211.  Finally, if you need help with any sort of problem you can call 211.  Kind of like 911 but for non-emergent social service needs, these organization can direct you to resources in your local community.
  

All Kinds of Discounts

There are all kinds of discounts available if you fall into one of these categories...

• Discounts for military members.
• Student discounts.
• Discounts for seniors.
• Birthday freebies and discounts.
• Discounts for first responders.
• Las Vegas locals discounts (other cities may have similar programs)

We Saved $126 Today

When we first moved to Las Vegas, I decided to Google around and see if there were any discounts to be had.  I looked for locals discounts (many spas, restaurants, shows, etc offer discounts for locals), discounts for seniors since hubby is a senior (we found that the Goodwill has 50% off Wednesdays for senior which we take advantage of nearly every week and there are tons of other senior-only discounts around the city), then I looked for anywhere that offered discounts for veterans and hit on the county assessor's website where I found a great deal for veterans--either a small discount on property tax or a pretty big discount on car registration.
We chose the car registration discount and used it last year when we registered our car in the state for the first time.  Today after dropping off the SIL and her grandkids at the airport, we headed over to the assessor's office to get our voucher for our annual car registration and found that it had went up to $126 which should more than take car of the fees for registering the car next month since it is old and pretty cheap to register anyway.  Score!

50 Great Benefits for Military Members and Their Families

In honor of Veteran's Day, I thought I would throw together this list of benefits that military members receive.  Most are well known in the military community, some, not so much.  I was fortunate to marry into the military via the hubby many years ago.  Until that time I knew absolutely nothing about the military or any of the great benefits it offers.  Remember when you read this list, however, that while they may seem like great benefits (and they are definitely money savers for the most part) these guys (and gals) earn these benefits--deployments away from the family for a year at a time, cancelled days off, working in harm's way, lots of moving, little to no say over where you are going or what you will be doing, etc. can really cause a lot of strain on the military members and their families.

1. The commissary.  The commissary is a grocery store on the military base which, for the most part, has lower (on occasion MUCH lower) prices than the off-base grocery stores.
2. Medical care.  One of the best military benefits available is the nearly free health insurance provided to active duty military, retirees, their dependents, and reserves.  Years ago the program was completely free.  These days there is a monthly fee (about $50 a month for the hubby and I) which is still exceptionally low compared to civilian medical insurance programs.
3. Additional medical service.  There are some additional medical services that can be had for veterans who would otherwise receive their normal medical care through their regular physicians such as glasses and hearing aids provided by the VA hospital. 
4. Prescriptions.  The military medical system offers an excellent prescription program.  Of course you need to get the prescription from your doctor, but by submitting the prescription to the base pharmacy you can get many common prescription medications for free or only a few dollars.
5. The Exchange.  The exchange (PX, BX, NEX) is a department store located on the military base.  Besides being tax free, some (not all) of the prices are lower than what you can find off base.
6. Education.  The GI Bill is a well-known program that helps current and former military members pay for college.  There are also educational assistance programs as well as scholarships for the spouse and children of military members.  A new program allows for the military member to transfer their GI bill credits to their spouse or children.
7. Entertainment.  Most military bases offer a range of free and discounted entertainment.  Our last base had a library, roller skating rink, movie theater, fishing, shooting, golf course, swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, bowling alley, and ceramics/crafts workshop as well as night clubs and restaurants.
8. Recreation.  Many bases offer a range of recreation options from guided kayaking tours to outdoor gear rental to RV parks and camping facilities.
9. Child care.  Many bases offer infant, toddler, and school-age care on base and at a discount from what off base providers would charge.
10. Family services.  Most military bases offer a range of family support services.  These services can range from individual and family counseling, moving assistance, the ombudsman program which is the liaison between the family and the deployed family member, financial counseling, spiritual counseling, assistance with special needs family members, and social service advocacy (domestic violence, child abuse, etc).
11. Lodging.  Many bases offer "hotels" for visiting military members and their families.  These can be anything from reinvented barracks to new buildings created specifically to house travelers offered at lower rates than what you can find off base.
12. Space A travel.  If you have the time this is a great way to travel for $15 to anywhere in the world that the military flies.  This means that you basically wait until there is space available on a plane (after cargo and military members traveling on orders), pay your $15, and go.  The down side is that you may be waiting for ages in a foreign country at peak travel times.
13. Life insurance.  Military members get a sizable life insurance policy included for free with their benefits, while dependents and retirees can join for a small fee.
14. Off-base discounts.  Many stores and businesses located near military bases offer discounts for military members with ID.  Generally they give 10% off a restaurant meal or off the price of the items you bought just by showing your military ID.
15. Special discounts on Veteran's Day.  As this list shows, there are a bunch of discounts for the military on Veteran's Day.
16. Red Cross assistance.  The Red Cross is well known for helping military families in an emergency.  Through one program they will help a soldier "get home" during a family emergency by acting as the liaison between the military member and the doctor of the ill family member.
17. VA home loans.  We have used this program a couple of times.  This program offers $0 down mortgage loans and it also waives some of the closing costs for active duty and retired military members.
18. Death benefits.  When an active duty or retired military member dies, the military provides a one-time death benefit payment.
19. Vocational assistance.  Once out of the military some members need help transitioning to the civilian work force, the military offers this assistance for free.
20. Benefits for spouses and family members of deceased veterans.  There is a host of programs to help the spouse and children of active duty and retired military members when they pass away.  
21. A pension.  Retired military members get a pension for the rest of their life after retiring from military service.
22. Discounted meals.  All active duty members receive free or discounted meals at the base galley; retirees and family members are usually also given discounts on galley meals as well.
23. Housing.  As part of the active duty package, military members receive a stipend to cover their monthly housing expenses.  On some bases, retirees are allowed to live in military housing at a discount.
24. Disability payment.  Military members who were disabled during or related to their military service receive an additional payment along with their monthly pension.
25. Special assistance programs.  There are a number of programs geared to current and former military members including a suicide helpline, substance abuse programs, and PTSD programs.
26. Special pay programs.  While all military members receive pay based on their rate and rank, some military members receive additional pay for being in combat zones or for having high risk jobs in the military.
27. Tax breaks.  Military members who are deployed to combat zones get special tax breaks from the IRS.
28. Small Business Loans.  The SBA offers special loan programs for military members and veterans.
29. Veteran's preference for jobs.  There is a special classification for veterans which gives them "preference points" when it comes to hiring for some types of civilian jobs.
30. Debt collection protection.  The Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act allows for deferred debt collection when military members are deployed.
31. Foreclosure assistance.  A new program assists military members who are dealing with default and foreclosure on their home.
32. Assistance with unreimbursed medical care costs.  The Veteran's Aid and Assistance benefit provides additional funds to cover a range of unreimbursed medical care costs.
33. Legal assistance.  The base legal office can provide a number of legal services for free to active and retired military members including Wills and Power of Attorney documents to divorce and probate services.
34. Tax services.  Each year you can usually find free tax preparation services offered on many military bases.
35. Cosmetic surgery.  This was a benefit I just learned of today while researching this post but apparently cosmetic surgery is offered at military hospitals.  Interesting.
36. Discounted franchising opportunities.  VetFran assists veterans with buying into franchise businesses.
37. State veteran's benefits.  Each state offers their own benefits to it's veterans.  Here is an example from Alaska but you can also check with your state office of veteran's affairs to see what benefits your state offers.
38. Airport USO services.  Many airports offer USO services to active duty and retired military members.  This can be anything from a free meal and wi fi service to free overnight lodging while waiting for your next flight.
39. Non profit veteran's services.  There are a number of non profits that provide services and support to veterans including the VFW, USO, NMCRS, AFAS, etc.
40. Voting assistance.  There is even a program to help military members vote (which can be harder than it sounds when you are deployed or moving around quite a bit with your job).
41. Veteran's nursing homes and residential care.  The VA offers a range of nursing home and residential care options for retirees who can no longer live at home.
42. Auto hobby shop.  Many bases include an auto hobby shop where you can work on your own car, buy auto parts at a discount, or even take classes on how to fix your car.
43. Base community services. Many bases offer a range of businesses and services just like you would find off base such as a post office, veterinary clinic, barber/beauty shop, fast food restaurants, flower store, dry cleaners, bank, gas station, liquor store, etc.
44. Banking services.  There are a handful of banks that cater to the military population including NFCU and Armed Forces Bank.
45. Free National Park Pass.  The National Parks Service provides free annual passes to active duty and (at age 62) to retired military members.
46. Discounted tickets.  Many tourist attractions offer free or discounted tickets to military members.  These range from Disneyland to pro baseball tickets to lists of discounts by city.
47. Store and other discounts.  A giant list of other special discount programs for military members can be found here.
48. Special laws for service members.  While rare, there are a couple of laws that were made that pertain specifically to protect service members such as this one and maybe this one (I haven't heard much about this one recently, however).
49. Citizenship.  While obtaining US citizenship can be difficult if not impossible, the US government offers expedited citizenship and other services for US military members.
50. Other travel benefits and discounts.  There are a number of other discounts and freebies available to military members which range from free camping to discounted airlines tickets and/or free baggage to the Armed Forces Vacation Club.

I'm Loving Senior Discounts!

Well actually I am not getting the discounts as I am not quite a senior yet (mind you, I am not complaining about that), but hubby is a senior so everywhere we go I always ask for a senior discount.  Here are the senior discounts we most often receive:

• At the movies today I paid the $7 matinee price and hubby paid the $4 senior matinee price (one theater here has senior discounts any time before 4pm Monday thru Friday while other theaters only have one day a week in which they offer reduced prices for seniors).
• At the buffets hubby always gets a senior discount.
• Nearly all of the casinos in Las Vegas have special "senior days" or special discounts for seniors (for everything from buffets to bingo packs to drawings for seniors to slot machine or blackjack tournaments for seniors only).
• I remember my grandmother used to get a discount on her property taxes when she became a senior. I am going to check this out with our local auditor's office.
• Whenever we book a cruise or even an airline ticket I always ask if there is a senior discount available.  Ditto for hotel and rental car discounts.  Amtrak also has special senior rail passes.
• My insurance agent said that if hubby takes a senior driving course he will be eligible for a discount on his car insurance which I am going to look into.
• I always ask at stores if they have special discounts for seniors and most of them do.  For example, we always take advantage of half off day for seniors on Wednesdays at the Goodwill and 10% off at Ross on Tuesdays for seniors.
• Hubby paid only $10 for a lifetime membership card for entry into all of the national parks in the US.  There are often similar discounts at state parks as well as senior discounts for fishing and hunting licenses.
• When we visit attractions I always ask for a locals discount (for me, in Las Vegas) and a senior discount (everywhere, for hubby).  This works nearly everywhere from museums to performing arts events to community event entry fees.
• Usually I try to use coupons at Great Clips (where we get our hair cut) but if I don't have coupons I always ask for a senior discount for hubby (coupon prices are usually less than the senior price).
• I have heard that some cell phone companies offer discounts for seniors who do not use many cell minutes but I haven't checked this out yet.
• Many sport and recreation places offer discounts for seniors such as bowling centers and golf courses (many bowling centers here only charge seniors $1 per game!).  Ditto for health club packages for seniors and health spas too!
• Also around Vegas are a number of senior-only groups which offer cheaper ways to enjoy activities such as this hiking club, this international tour group, and these college classes (actually many universities and colleges offer discounts for seniors).
• Some other places that offer senior discounts (but which I haven't checked out yet) include: discounts for pet grooming, discounts on prescription, discounted checking services at banks, etc. 

A Book Shopping Revelation

For the past few weeks I have been looking at a couple of books each time I go to Barnes and Noble. Since I really hate to pay retail for anything, I have been waiting to get a coupon which B & N regularly sends to my email inbox so I could at least save a little off the price of the books. Yesterday I finally got a coupon in my email which would have taken 10% off the retail price of the books. That was OK, but since one of the books was $60 (a college-level Japanese language text which I want to use to refresh my language skills before we go to Japan in the fall), that would still only save me $6 which is about the cost of tax. However, I really wanted the book, so I was ready to splurge but alas I was pretty lazy yesterday and didn't feel like driving to the mall so I went online to B&N thinking I would purchase the book there. To my surprise, the book that cost $60 in the store only cost $45 online! Maybe everyone else knows about this pricing thing--go to the store, pay much more? But it was a surprise to me. Then it got me to thinking that maybe I could find the book for even less somewhere else online so I Googled the title and was even more surprised when the book came up for $40 at Amazon. With free shipping! I thought I would push my luck even more and Googled 'Amazon promo codes and coupons' but none of the coupons I found would work for the books I wanted. Oh well...I ended up getting both books for a total of $46 with free shipping and they should be here in a couple of days. Now I'm a happy camper with an extra $30 in my pocket. The moral of this post is that if you are willing to spend your hard-earned money on something, it pays to shop around instead of just going to the logical source, especially now that the internet has put a range of shopping possibilities at our fingertips.