Most of us are carefully counting our coins these days. With inflation high, interest rates low, and future current events uncertain, it’s a challenging time to be saving money and building up reserve funds- not to mention those of us who had to retire early or never quite saved sufficiently to support ourselves in retirement. When looking to pinch those pennies, one possible way to save is by taking advantage of “senior discounts,” those offers to reduce the costs of items or services by a certain percentage because you’ve reached an “older” age. Some of us may decline to take advantage of such offers, perhaps being ashamed or embarrassed to admit we’ve reached that age or, as columnist Amara Rose suggested, “I surmise it’s our visceral reaction to how we’re both perceived and portrayed. Aging in America is not for the timid.”

But if you’re willing to embrace the discounts, there are innumerable opportunities and options. Aging columnist Jim Miller (of The Savvy Senior) recommends you always directly ask a service provider or retailer, even if they don’t explicitly state they offer a discount (you’ll never know if you don’t ask). He explains that most senior discounts don’t kick in until you’ve at least reached the age of 55, with some not offered until you’re 60, 62, or 65. If you’re doing an online search, he recommends the website The Senior List or just type the store you’re focused on, along with the words “senior discount,” into your search engine to see what comes up. You can also use smartphone apps like the app Senior Discounts and Coupons available through the Apple App Store.

Regarding other websites, there are a wide array of sites, each with slightly different offerings and organization. For example, Senior Matters has a list of 14 things seniors can get for free or at a discount, including medications at Walgreens, Prime membership on Amazon, and reduced-cost cell phone service. Money Crashers has lists of bank accounts, classes, all types of insurance, gyms, even auto repair shops that offer senior discounts. If you’re looking for store discounts, consider the list of 400 retailers available on the website knoji.com. Deal News states that discounts can differ, even for the same retailer, depending on where you live, and advises that many retailers seem to be phasing these discounts out. They do offer an easy-to-read chart of providers who offer discounts and age requirements for these discounts. Senior Living also has a good set of charts for figuring out useful discounts, including the retailer, the discount, the eligibility requirements, and when the discount is available.

Obviously, depending on your age and needs, different offers will appeal to different people. However, all of us can benefit from a good discount. Regardless of your financial situation, there’s nothing wrong with looking for a good deal. And as Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as getting.”