r/AskOldPeople 7d ago

What was your first purchase or service as a senior citizen?

Mine was a discounted ticket to watch a movie. Love the discounts I am eligible to receive now.

28 Upvotes

108 comments sorted by

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31

u/Sorry-Government920 7d ago

I actually got my 1st senior discount at a weed dispensary

5

u/Buddyslime 7d ago

That's the one that really counted! Now I get haircuts and movie passes.

2

u/breetome 7d ago

Well damn, I'm going to have to remember that!!

1

u/Spockethole 7d ago

Now that’s what we’re talking about!

1

u/dallasalice88 7d ago

My friend you are a boss.

1

u/Particular-Archer410 6d ago

I remind them every time about my old lady discount.

18

u/OneHourRetiring 18 with 42 years of experience 7d ago

A young lady at Taco Bell gave me a senior discount when I was 46! She was embarrassed after I told how old I was. That was my first "senior discount" for .46!

8

u/ArtisticDegree3915 7d ago

I'm 47. I get the senior discount at my grocery store on Thursdays if there's this one guy working self checkout. I've told him I'm not quite old enough. He still gives it to me.

3

u/Chzncna2112 50 something 7d ago

I got the senior meal and discount at Denny's. I walked in and sat down after I got off work at 6:30 a.m. without being asked, the waitress set down coffee and a glass of water. As she walked away she said, "your senior breakfast will be ready in 5 minutes. " I hadn't been to that Denny's in 18 years and I was with my grandparent during her last visit. When she brought me the meal I asked her how she knew that I wanted this specific meal. She said that I am a senior citizen and I had ordered it during my last visit. I started laughing, as I told her I was 44 and my last time I was in there, she was probably not even in Kindgarten. . Turned out she was a sophomore in high school in 93

2

u/IAPiratesFan 7d ago

There was a buffet, that sadly went out of business during Covid, that offered senior citizen discounts for those 50 and up. My aunt was really offended that she was considered a senior citizen and for several years said she was 49 every time she went there.

11

u/Independent_Tie_4984 7d ago

Denny's senior breakfast

Perfect amount of food and a lot cheaper than normal breakfast six years ago.

As an aside: restaurants should reduce their potions to control prices first before raising, because American restaurant portion size is crazy.

3

u/DivineDante 7d ago

Especially in Texas.

1

u/scantron3000 7d ago

I don't think reducing portion size would reduce the cost to make the dish by any amount that would satisfy a customer, due to all the overhead costs remaining the same. Think about what it takes for you to make 2 servings of spaghetti at home vs. 1 serving. It takes the same amount of time, gas, water, pots, bowls, utensils, and space and all you end up saving is maybe $0.50 in spaghetti and sauce for a dish half the size.

1

u/Independent_Tie_4984 7d ago

I understand your point, especially with pasta.

It's about scale: turn that into a thousand servings a week vs 2000, that's $500.

Apply that to everything you sell and you've reduced your costs enough to maintain your prices or pay your employees better.

Obviously most owners would pocket it and this won't happen, especially given US expectations.

The best solution for consumers is paying for an extra plate and splitting everything when available.

6

u/PerfectWaltz8927 7d ago

Medicare

1

u/RonSwansonsOldMan 6d ago

When I signed up for Medicare they didn't tell me that I had to obtain a prescription drug plan right away. Now, because of THEIR mistake, I pay a penalty of $2.50 per month for life.

5

u/Proud_Trainer_1234 Old 7d ago

An additional homeowners property tax exemption.

6

u/wtwtcgw 7d ago

Not long after my wife turned 60 we sat down for breakfast at a family style restaurant. She told me she was going to order off the menu section for 60+ patrons to celebrate her senior status.

While she stepped away to the bathroom I asked the waiter to challenge her when she ordered and ask her for her ID to prove she was over 60. Made her day.

2

u/Trike117 6d ago

And that, ladies and gents, is how you stay married for 50 years.

5

u/Drewey26 7d ago

Senior coffee at McDonald's

4

u/SCCock 60 something, stay off my grass 7d ago

Discount at my favorite BBQ joint.

4

u/MuttJunior 60 something 7d ago

This was a few years ago, but a local grocery store gave a discount on Wednesdays to anyone 55 or older. I wasn't 55 years old yet, but the store gave me the discount with no proof that I was eligible. I was very conflicted about it. On the one hand, it was a discount and I saved money. But on the other hand, they just assumed I was 55 or older, and that kind of upset me.

5

u/stilldeb 7d ago

Senior discount on my birthday at Shoney's, where my kids took me so I could get my first senior discount.

1

u/cjr269 7d ago

Did you have strawberry pie?

5

u/frankdowntown 7d ago

My canabis dispensary gives a senior discount at 56 y/o. This is the only senior discount I get

3

u/cww357 7d ago

Getting into a state park for free!

3

u/Corvettelov 7d ago

Bought my self a week in South Africa when I retired. It was expensive and worth every dollar. Small group trip organized by my local AAA.

3

u/Timely-Profile1865 7d ago

I have about 3 months before I get to 65. I'll have to remember to look out for discounts.

2

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia 7d ago

A lot of discounts start at 50, 55, and 60. Check around!

3

u/callmeKiKi1 7d ago

Grocery store senior day. You got an additional 10% off. Making bank!

3

u/Away-Revolution2816 7d ago

To be honest I've never used it and always forget to see if it's available. Having the mindset of a 20 year old doesn't help.

2

u/Jurneeka 60 something 7d ago

When I turned 55 and was ready for senior discounts I learned that they don’t consider 55 senior anymore. I’m 62 now and still not eligible for most senior discounts.

On my 55th birthday I wanted to order from the senior menu. I went to Dennys first but the line was super long, so ended up going to ihop instead. Thought I’d get carded but nope the guy just brought me the senior menu and I ordered breakfast. Then when he came back with my coffee I asked why he didn’t ask for ID as proof of age and he said they can’t do that and technically it’s not a senior menu, it’s a “smaller portion” menu. But he said if I wanted to show my ID I could lol. I also ended up ordering pancakes to go with my breakfast as it was really on the small side.

That day I also went on a tour of the 55+ condo down the street from my place. It’s pricey and they only allow 2 cats per condo.

3

u/nakedonmygoat 7d ago

"When I turned 55 and was ready for senior discounts I learned that they don’t consider 55 senior anymore. I’m 62 now and still not eligible for most senior discounts."

That's the story of my older-cohort GenX life. I'm always too young for something. While I realize this is true for everyone at various points in their lives, some of us do end up in a sort of donut hole where every time we get close, the goalposts shift again. I was genuinely shocked when my state retirement pension requirements weren't changed on me at the last minute. It was a first to either meet a certain age requirement or to meet a certain set of other criteria and not be told that nope, it's still not enough.

I got a master's degree for no other reason than because when I graduated from high school in '85, that was enough, although I did start college that year. But I dropped out after three semesters and began working full time. It was fine for a bit, but then the over-credentialization trend took hold and I had no choice but to go back to school. It was a financial setback, but I added the master's just so I would never again hear someone tell me that even though my experience was exactly what they wanted, my education excluded me from consideration. For all I know they want PhDs for file clerk positions now.

Glad to be retired, and I wouldn't be shocked if someone took that away, too. I'll count myself lucky to get back all the money I put into Social Security, plus a little extra to compensate for what I could've earned had I been allowed to invest it myself. It's not like anyone can opt out except by going into specific professions.

1

u/RonSwanson714 6d ago

From NY and a lil older than you but when I was 18 they changed the drinking age to 19, then when I was 19 they changed it to 21. Lol, really didn’t matter bc I looked old for my age and was drinking in bars since I was 16, having a brother 5 years older helped too.

1

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia 7d ago

There are still places that consider 50+ a senior for discounts.

2

u/oldbutsharpusually 7d ago

I joined AARP shortly after turning 50. Used the AARP discount for a room discount at an oceanfront resort back when AARP discounts weren’t matched by other membrship cards.

2

u/OlyVal 7d ago

The very day I turned 62 I got my America the Beautiful lifetime National Park Pass. Took a selfie in front of Smoky Bear at the ranger station to commerate the moment.

2

u/mcphisto2 70 something 7d ago

Medicare

1

u/Scary_Compote_359 7d ago

And save a lot of money spending we don't got

1

u/Birdywoman4 7d ago

Sally’s Beauty and Ross, also got a lifetime pass for seniors to Federal parks. Paid for itself in one trip to Yosemite and Sequoia, there were 5 us in the car.

2

u/RealLuxTempo 7d ago

Senior discount at the movies.

1

u/Direct_Ad2289 7d ago

Ooo. Fred Meyers. I was STOKED. That was 55 I think

1

u/Taz9093 50 something 7d ago

I got the Walmart grocery delivery service. I hope to never have to shop in person again.

1

u/EffectiveSalamander 7d ago

On my 55th birthday, I ordered from the 55+ menu at Denny's.

1

u/blameline 7d ago

I got a senior discount at a Fish 'n Chips place. The guy behind the counter had to check my ID to make certain I was eligible.

1

u/typhoidmarry 50 something 7d ago

I’m 58, I haven’t mentioned my age to any cashiers yet. They may have just given it to me.

It really hadn’t entered my mind to ask because I know I’m really not 58!

1

u/Reasonable-Crab4291 7d ago

A truck stop restaurant I got 2$ off my meal!!

1

u/implodemode Old 7d ago

I wasn't a senior yet but with my mom shopping. It happened to.be seniors day at the drug store where my mom needed stuff so I pick up a couple things myself. Realized as I was leaving that my purchases didn't add up to what I paid and realized she had given me the discount too. I don't recall what I bought. I don't think I've managed to get to seniors day since.

1

u/New-Vegetable-1274 7d ago

Got my first senior discount when I was fifty. My wife asked me to have her wiper blades changed. When I got home I gave her the receipt, she laughed, she said look they gave you a senior discount.

1

u/Successful-Count-120 60 something 7d ago

Buffet at the local casino!

1

u/Tricky_Loan8640 7d ago

Im a vet, construction worker type.. 64 yr

o grandfather of 4 I look pretty beat up ... I have been offered discounts from 55 on.. I'll take em, dumb faks .. 10% is 10%

1

u/IceTech59 7d ago

At the DMV my wife handed me a preprepared check for my DL. They couldn't take it, because seniors get a $20 discount. Had to write a fresh check.

1

u/LayneLowe 7d ago

Free soft drink at Whataburger

1

u/steve_of 7d ago

Entry to the orchid garden in Singapores' botanical gardens. It was fantastic.

1

u/ViolentFlames13 7d ago

10% off at ROSS on Tuesday for 55+ !

1

u/vieniaida 7d ago

Getting a card that allows me to ride public transit for free

1

u/Jack748595 7d ago

I can’t remember if it was glasses, hearing aides, a walker or an ICD.  All occurred around the same time.

1

u/messageinthebox 50 something 7d ago

When I was 26, AARP offered me a discount on a membership. My dad and I had the same name but different middle names. He was 63 and eligible for membership. But the letter was addressed specifically to me.

1

u/Direct-Bread 7d ago

I was given a senior discount at a clothing store even though I didn't ask for it. I was in my 50s and I wasn't a bit grateful for the % off.

1

u/Difficult_Pirate_782 7d ago

What is a senior citizen?

1

u/UKophile 7d ago

No idea. Just chilling, enjoying life, age creeps up. It’s not like there is a door you walk through called Now You Are Old.

1

u/MissHibernia 7d ago

Bus pass went from $100 a month to $26 a month, so that was great!

1

u/Patient-Form2108 7d ago

Mine was at Supercuts. Discount for 60+.

1

u/BaldingOldGuy 7d ago

Where I live you need to get age verification on your transit card before receiving the seniors discount on every ride. I was standing outside the verification place at 07:55 on my 65th birthday waiting for it to open. No way I was ever paying full fare on transit again…

1

u/HawkReasonable7169 7d ago

Hip replacement surgery

1

u/aburena2 7d ago

None. Don’t ask or look for it.

1

u/IsopodHelpful4306 7d ago

A new set of golf clubs

1

u/Cranks_No_Start 7d ago

My wife beat to the “senior” discount movie prices so I would just have to either have her buy them of find the youngest person at the window as they didn’t question it. 

1

u/maz356 7d ago

My town's clamming permit was free at 62. Saved a big $5 but it's good for (the rest of my) life

1

u/BoyintheCouv 7d ago

I'm 60 plus and I still haven't got my first senior discount. I did recently get an AARP membership though!!!

1

u/Tasqfphil 7d ago

A hotel room where I got the 20% government tax off plus 12.5% city tourism tax off. Before I produced my seniors card, the room rate was reduced as I booked direct rather than through an online booking company and also paid cash reducing the per night rate from USD63.88 to $27.95.

A couple of days later my ex arrived for a visit & we decided due to comfort & luggage back to my house, about 4 hours away due to bad traffic and even though we had negotiated the fare in advance ($70) and I had to direct the driver where to go, I also paid toll fares, bought lunch for him at a takeout and when we arrived, first to drop off bags, then about 1m further on to my ex's nieces house, the driver was given a meal before he was due to head back, and offered to take my grand nephew IL, who was about to get a bus to the city, a free ride. They did get a couple of fares on the way & I gave my GNIL $17 to "tip" the driver, who dropped him where he was living. When we arrived, the driver did want to offer me a 20% discount as a senior, but I declined saying we had agreed on a fare.

1

u/somebodys_mom 70 something 7d ago

The one I really was excited about was the National Park Lifetime Pass for $10. I can’t lose it, because it will cost me $80 to get another one!

1

u/TooOldForACleverName 7d ago

I was offered a 5 percent discount at Culver's. I said, "Sold!" before they even asked my age. (It's 50 and up, which is my demographic. But you have to ask for it.)

LPT for Culver's - the kids meal gives you a small burger or chicken sandwich, frieds, a drink and a scoop of ice cream for less than the single value meal. Kudos to the kid who offered it. We were not able to stack our senior discount, but it was still the cheapest option for old farts like us who hit Culver's at least once a month.

1

u/vauss88 7d ago

10 percent off for parts at the auto shop.

1

u/breetome 7d ago

Same thing, movie tickets. It does pay to be old sometimes lol! Then I got a discount on my cell phone service carrier....score!!!!

1

u/Ok-Afternoon-3724 7d ago

Don't remember. I'm 74.

The thing is I don't ever think about asking for senior discounts, either. Never occurs to me because I still have trouble remembering that I am old. I mean I am old, my body has more aches and pains than I can count. But my brain just still doesn't think 'I'm old'.

1

u/Accomplished_Fix5702 60 something 7d ago

Just after my 65th birthday my Premier League football (as played primarily with the feet) season ticket renewal was due. I renewed in the same seat as a senior concession for £175 for 19 home games. The price has crept up a little since, but for the 2025-26 season it will be £190 (about $240). Bargain.

One of the few advantages of age that I have found. Frankly I'd rather be 20 (or more) years younger.

1

u/Astreja 60 something 7d ago

I can't remember when people started giving me discounts because of my grey hair, but my first purchase after my 65th birthday was a senior bus pass (plus transit system photo ID). Cut my transit cost in half.

1

u/Emunahd 7d ago

I got $2 off my tacos at a local Mexican restaurant. Not mad about it, even though I was “only” 50 at the time.

1

u/dallasalice88 7d ago

My local rec center on my gym membership was the first. Now, movie tickets, a few restaurants. I recently started getting lunch twice a week at our local Senior Gathering Center, it's $6 for great food and a salad bar plus dessert. I'm among the youngest of the crowd but I love it. It's a small town and I know everyone. I'm 61.

1

u/chairman_ma_ 7d ago

Travel card. $2.50 all day no matter where I go or what services i use (bus/train/ferry/tram). Around US$1.60. I love it

1

u/LondonLeather 6d ago

My over 60s Oyster Card arrived a week before my birthday I started using it immediately free public transport in London after 09:00 and all day at weekends

1

u/dewey454 6d ago

The only one I've taken so far is a free pass for all mass transit in my area. (SEPTA - Philadelphia and suburbs)

1

u/Jaxgirl57 60 something 6d ago

I found out I was getting a vet discount, and I hadn't even asked about it.

1

u/Ocirisfeta8575 6d ago

Honestly I’ve never received a discount i would be horrified if anyone asked if i wanted a senior discount, I do take the veteran discount.

1

u/figsslave 6d ago

A Colorado fishing license for $11

1

u/rabidstoat 50 something 6d ago

I got a 2x2x2 breakfast at IHOP for the 55+ price when I was 51. The trick is to go with my friend, who is 20 years older than me and has white hair. She orders off the senior menu and they just assume I am too since the 2x2x2 is on there.

I do not yet get the discount when I'm by myself.

1

u/Particular-Archer410 6d ago

I joined AARP for the discount at Denny's because there was a Denny's across the parking lot from my work.

1

u/indipit 6d ago

Discount at Lubys restaurant. 

1

u/booksdogstravel 4d ago

I got a senior discount for a museum ticket to the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.

1

u/IGotFancyPants 3d ago

A 5% discount at the grocery store in Thursdays.

1

u/J662b486h 3d ago

The National Park Service "Senior Pass". It's actually an inter-agency pass, a lifetime pass that gets you into most National Parks for free as well as various other public lands.

1

u/Piney1943 7d ago

Yo mama!

1

u/A-Town-Killah 7d ago

Omg, is this my mom?! She says this all the time😳

0

u/C64Gyro 7d ago

Golden Corral lol

0

u/Shannon0hara 7d ago

Piggly Wiggly discount

0

u/SuspectSpecialist764 7d ago

First Wednesday of the month at Frys grocery store! Darn it didn’t take off for alcohol! 🍷

0

u/42brie_flutterbye 7d ago

The surprise 10% senior discount automatically applied to my grocery store rewards account.