Can You Get an AARP Card to Save Money if You're Under 50?

Have you ever received a letter inviting you to become an AARP member, only to toss it directly in the trash because you assumed you were too young to join? I'm in my 30s and have received many similar marketing mailings in my mailbox. You may be surprised to learn that adults well under the age of 50 can become members. Keep reading to discover why you may want to join AARP in your 20s, 30s, or 40s. All members can enjoy money-saving perks.

Everyone, young and old, can join AARP

AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons, is an organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all as we age. But you may not realize you don't have to be semi-retired or fully retired to become a member.

While many people over 50 are members, membership is open to all. There are no age restrictions or minimum age requirements to join. Many young people invest in a membership to take advantage of the available discounts.

Many benefits come with an AARP membership. Some well-known perks include discounts on travel, shopping deals, discounts on prescription drugs, dining deals, insurance discounts, event deals, and low-cost vision exams, frames, and lenses. If you're working hard to reach your personal finance goals, a membership like this can help you save money.

Unlike many other memberships, becoming an AARP member won't drain your checking account balance. It costs only $16 per year to join, or $12 per year with auto-renewal. If you prefer, three-year and five-year memberships are available at a cheaper rate. A five-year membership offers a 21% discount.

There are also quite a few little-known AARP membership perks. Some examples include free virtual movie screenings, free games, career tools for job seekers, and a free at-home yearly hearing test. You'll have to decide if becoming a member makes sense for you. But now you know you don't have to be 50 or older to take advantage of the many membership benefits.

You don't need an AARP membership to save money

While an AARP membership is a worthwhile investment for many, you don't have to become a member to save money. There are many ways to save money and earn rewards.

Here are a few tips to help you spend less and earn more:

• Use budgeting apps to stay on track with your spending: Overspending is easy if you're not careful. Do you need help managing your spending so you don't rack up credit card debt? You can use budgeting apps to make it easier.
• Get a bigger discount with coupon codes: You can use promotional codes to save money when shopping online. You can check coupon apps to find codes for your favorite retailers. Entering these codes at checkout can allow you to waste less money.
• Use cash back apps when you shop: You can easily earn cash back rewards when shopping in-store or online. Cash back apps make it easy to earn rewards when you shop. Rakuten is one popular website and mobile app that offers cash back rewards.
• Use cash back credit cards: You can earn rewards if you have the right rewards credit card in your wallet. And, did you know you can earn cash back every time you swipe your card? Learn more by reviewing our list of the best cash back credit cards.

Life is expensive, but it's still possible to get a good deal. Don't miss out on opportunities to save money and earn rewards so you can continue putting money in your savings account.