As the cost of living continues to rise, finding ways to save money on everyday expenses becomes increasingly important, especially for seniors on fixed incomes. Fortunately, several grocery stores offer special discounts and savings days exclusively for seniors. These discounts can make a significant difference in stretching a budget further. In this article, we explore the best grocery stores offering senior discounts and how you can take advantage of these savings.
Fred Meyer
Fred Meyer, a supermarket chain headquartered in Portland, Oregon, offers a variety of savings opportunities for seniors. Seniors aged 55 and up can benefit from a monthly 10 percent discount on select items on the first Tuesday of each month. However, this discount excludes items like deli, bakery, meat, seafood, or produce sold by the pound; gaming consoles; non-private brand food items; and services like U.S. Forest Service passes and gift cards.
In addition to senior discounts, Fred Meyer provides a 10 percent discount on the third Thursday of every month for veterans and current military members, which shares the same exclusions. Fred Meyer also offers a wide range of digital coupons for additional savings, accessible through their website or mobile app.
Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter, a grocery and pharmacy chain, offers a 5% discount for customers aged 60 and above every Thursday in their 260 locations across states including North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. This provides seniors with regular weekly savings on their grocery bills. Harris Teeter also offers various ways to save on gas at their fuel center locations, making it even more economical for seniors to shop there.
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club offers significant savings for seniors on memberships. Seniors aged 55 and older can receive a 60% discount on Club memberships, reducing their cost to $20, and a 50% discount on Plus memberships, reducing the cost to $60. Military members, veterans, and spouses can also avail of these discounts. Membership verification is done through the ID.me website, and discounts are only eligible for new members without an active membership in the past six months.
Sam’s Club Plus members enjoy benefits such as cashback, early shopping hours from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on weekdays, and additional discounts on pharmacy and optical products. Special early shopping hours provide a less crowded shopping experience, which can be particularly beneficial for seniors.
Brookshire’s
Brookshire’s is a regional supermarket chain that offers special discounts for seniors. Customers aged 60 and above receive a 5% discount on their grocery purchases every Tuesday. This discount helps seniors save on their weekly shopping needs, making groceries more affordable.
Food Bazaar
Food Bazaar offers senior discounts to help older adults save on groceries. Seniors can receive a 5% discount on certain days of the week, helping to reduce their overall grocery bills. It’s a great opportunity for seniors to stock up on essentials without straining their budgets.
Fry’s Food Stores
Fry’s Food Stores, part of the Kroger family, provides senior discounts to customers aged 55 and above. Seniors can enjoy a 10% discount on the first Wednesday of every month. This helps in significant savings on monthly grocery expenses, allowing seniors to make the most out of their shopping trips.
Kroger
While Kroger had previously offered senior discounts, in certain regions, including Nashville, it has ended its senior discount program and double coupon policy due to evolving market dynamics. Kroger plans to lower everyday prices instead. Seniors can still capitalize on alternative money-saving strategies, such as shopping sales items, price matching, and using supermarket saving apps like Ibotta and Checkout 51.
Tips for Maximizing Savings
- Shop on Discount Days: Mark your calendar with the senior discount days of your favorite grocery stores to ensure you don’t miss out on savings.
- Use Digital Coupons: Take advantage of digital coupons offered by stores like Fred Meyer to stack additional savings.
- Consider Membership Clubs: Evaluate if a discounted membership at wholesale clubs like Sam’s Club fits your shopping habits for bulk purchases and additional perks.
- Explore Gas Saving Programs: Stores like Harris Teeter offer fuel rewards that can further reduce your expenses.
Conclusion
Taking advantage of senior discounts and savings days at grocery stores can lead to significant savings over time. By shopping on designated discount days and being aware of the special offers available, seniors can stretch their budgets further. Be sure to check with your local grocery stores to verify discount availability, as policies may vary by location. Happy saving!