My husband is turning 50 years old in a couple of weeks. I'm just wondering if it would be worth it for him to join AARP? I know it's only $16 a year, but I'm wondering if the benefits are worth it and who better to ask than the wise Thrifty Fun family? Anyone care to share their advice or opinion on the matter? Thanks!
We joined years ago when my husband was old enough. We took the membership thinking it would be useful, would save us some money, etc. Turns out we never used anything AARP had to offer, so we did not renew the membership.
My husband and I joined when he turned 50 also, and I don't think we used it ever. Now on the other hand here is a tip on it. As a member of AARP you can get a lower quote on Auto and homeowners ins thru Hartford Ins. My mother did this over 30 years ago when she joined AARP.
It might be beneficial for people that need insurance for different things. Also if you are going to be doing a lot of traveling and can use their discounts in various hotels, etc.
You can join for one year and see if it is of benefit to you. I have been a member for several years and the only thing I have used it for is their yearly meetings in Sept held in different cities of the country. I have visited 4 cities. Los Angles,Orlando,Washington DC and Boston. About 25,000 people attend these 3 day meetings.
I haven't joined. I already get discounts for hotels through AAA but there are even cheaper deals on line and in coupon books. I used to read my dad's Modern Maturity magazine which has some good articles, but I feel they are out of sync with most post 50's people. To entice me to join they offered me a free lunchbox with AARP in screaming white letters on it. I would be mortified to carry that to work. I'm at an important juncture in my career and carrying an AARP lunchbox does not fit.
I joined AARP when I turned 50, but found that AARP and AAA discounts are almost the same and I always have AAA, so did not renew AARP.
The thing to keep in mind is that you can get discounts on so many things without paying a yearly fee to AARP by doing some research of what you're looking for. Also, should you decide to use any of their insurance discounts they will only be in effect as long as you continue to pay the yearly fee so you have to do the math as to whether or not you're really receiving actual discounts on any particular insurance policy.
I was an AARP member for four years and decided it was a silly waste of money overall and also decided because of things I found out about AARP that Lorelei mentioned in her post. I did not renew after that because I am not going to support anything that undermines my personal beliefs. I wish I would have checked in to the details of what the company actually does and stands for before I ever joined. That $16.00 can be put to far better uses. Oh, and even at just age 50 many stores and restaurants offer Senior discounts so just ask. ;-)
I recommend it, but look online. I bought a 3 year membership for much less than the ads say. Have no idea why. They send out two magazines a month and they are my favorite magazines. Lots of good info for seniors.
Check to see what AARP supports. You may change your mind when you see the dollars you put into it go for something you may not support. I would recommend doing research on any organization one considers getting into. Much of those dollars are earmarked for other organized groups that are supporting things that tear down our country's moral standards.
Lorelei & Deeli, and most others, pretty much said it all: Find out where your money really goes. Some of you may be quite shocked. Realize that so much of what they "offer" can be had without them for nothing. If you're looking for lower rates on insurance or other items, shop around. Try asking your current company if they can lower their rates, this works. They don't want to lose your business, and they will work with you. If not, there are many other companies out there that will. Also check into consolidating, like all insurance coverages with one company. Big discounts there. I
for one never wanted to join AARP, and wish they'd quit sending me all their junk mail that I've been receiving for decades now! [and did you know they've taken over Medicare? find y'self another Rx drug plan if you haven't already! may be "too late" to change til end of the year, y'know how the govt. messes with us! but if so y'can be ready then.] Travel? How does that work? Trips can be planned by y'self, or with other help, travel agencies vie for your business as well. An' a question for foxrun41: Does AARP pay for your travel and expenses to these annual meetings? Bet they don't. No other organization I've been a part of covers our expenses, but their meetings/conventions/etc. entice you to attend. Yes they can be interesting, fun, etc. I can't afford to travel anywhere anyway, so scratch another reason to join!
It is definitely not worth the money, no benefits and they are very definitely a left leaning organization and do not represent all the senior citizens they supposedly represent. Use your money somewhere else. Do not join.
I don't see any benefit. They advertise insurance as cheaper but I've found that to never be the case. When my membership is up I won't be subscribing again. Really not worth the money. They mail out a Bulletin to members that oftentimes has some good information such as political but that's about it. When I rent a motel when traveling I ask for AARP discount and they never ask to see my card. Just asking for a senior citizen discount works.
Thanks everyone! You pretty much told me what I already figured. I didn't think it would really save us any money, but it has been mentioned to us from a couple of people(including my mother), so I thought I might be missing something. We already have AAA, that I don't want to get rid of because we use it for hotels when we travel. Also, I have read some on the kind of things they lobby for, that I don't agree with, so I think I'll pass on this one. Thanks!
No! After paying for their ins. for several years. I had to go into the hospital. They paid $50. After I turned 65 they cut down the amount to $30 a day for hospital stay. You better have great eyesight and be sure to read the fine print, because they never advised us of the change. We Canceled AARP. GG Vi
Membershipis 12.60 a year for both you and another if you sub for 5 years that 6.30 a year per person if you got some one over 50 to share the second membership with which could be your spouse or other family over 50 and I also agree that AAA is horrible on Long Island as living in Tampa Bay were there are five offices I was shocked to find only 4 on the Long Island and only one in suffolk county plus AA has goten quite expensive which is why we no longer belong to AAA.
Sadly Harford will not write in Florida, so not a benefit here.
People say it is because you get a lot of discounts. Even though I am eligible,'I've never joined because I don't go out that much or eat out. I also buy a lot of used goods, so I don't need that kind of discount, either. Many times you can get a senior discount just by asking.
I have read a lot of articles, i see aaa and aarp have some advantages and worth the money you spend on your member ship. I feel it depends on your life style, if you travel more then not. Each have road side assistance, and discounted hotel rooms and rental car deals, aaa wins out on the above. ( in my non professional opinion ) the best advise is go to both sites. Compare make a check list.
I'm in then. I WANT an organization that advocates for the protections of the environment and the planet and my grand-kids future. I want an org that respects the tenets of the Constitution and this sacred Republic. I want an org that fights to save, not gut, Social Security, so that the wealthiest 1% who don't need it get 2 TRILLION dollars to be paid for after gutting more social programs: EMT, Police, Fire, Teachers, etc.. we all pay into and have earned the use of. I will stand with AARP for advocating for average strapped Americans worried about a future that has gotten exponentially more bleak with every ill-fated greed-driven decision the Right wing, backwards Republicans have done at every stint in power. They must be dealt with in the voting booth w/o the aid of treasonous Russian adversaries. I support AARP for supporting worker's rights and Social safety nets. I am done with every rotten thing the R's stand for with their lies and hypocrisy. Thank you AARP. I stand with you.
Ive had Hartford insurance for 16 years and get this AARP magazine every year . Only thing I ever used it for was the safe driving class! Never used it ,dont want it anymore.
The discounts are not enough to make it worth supporting an organization that supports certain causes and political "leaders". Check into it.
The AARP should not be endorsing political leaders. Certainly not the one we have now!
Save your money, dont join! I payed $12 as a special offer, thought I could get better auto insurance rates. Wrong! The request was redirected to Hatford Connecticut, who have bombarded me with junk emails ever since. My local small-town agent had better rates...
So much for hotel discounts - if you book, as I often do, with Booking.com, those discounted rates eliminate further AARP discounts.
Really the amount of junk emails I have received since joining AARP is spectacular, including offers for Life Insurance that wont go away. If I click the unsubscribe to these, the only option, after bouncing around menus, is to write a personal letter to get them stopped.
Ironically, many AARP articles are warning their members about fraud and identity theft. Since joining, I havent been able to save a single dollar, and I regard the numerous emails from their partners as annoying and intrusive. Two of the characteristics of spamming that tries to steal your money and identity...
Paul
So, the fact that they're not bible thumpers bothers you? You're a senior and STILL haven't figured out the "Right" is WRONG on everything and is nothing but a bunch of hypocrites? Maybe had you attended a school or 2 you wouldn't be in your situation
