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Saving money when you're shopping is an important part of stretching your dollar in retirement and beyond. If this sounds like you, you may be wondering whether seniors get a discount or free delivery at Walmart.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Does Walmart Offer a Senior Discount?
- Does Walmart Have a Senior Discount Day?
- Does Walmart Offer Free Delivery for Seniors?
- Does Walmart Offer a Military Discount?
- Does Walmart Offer a Discount for Teachers?
- Other Ways to Save on Walmart Purchases
- What Stores Offer Senior Discounts?
We'll dig into this question and find ways to help you save your hard-earned money so you can put it to items on your retirement bucket list, instead. Keep reading for the best tips on saving money at Walmart, maximizing your senior status, and discovering available discounts like the pros recommend in retirement magazines.
Does Walmart Offer a Senior Discount?
Unfortunately, Walmart does not offer a discount to senior citizens. One of Walmart’s biggest competitors, Target, also does not provide a discount to older adults.
Walmart tries to keep their prices as low as possible, so a senior discount is not something they offer on top of their famous "rollback" and already low prices. There are ways to save, however, and we'll get into that more below.
Does Walmart Have a Senior Discount Day?
Walmart does not have a designated day of the week when senior citizens can receive a discount. Check with your local grocery store to see if this option is available to you.
This goes back to the fact that Walmart strives to keep their prices as low as possible for everyone. There are no designated shopper days because the company feels that everyone should be able to shop for low-priced products every day of the year.
Does Walmart Offer Free Delivery for Seniors?
Walmart does not offer free delivery for seniors. There are no free delivery programs specifically offered apart from obtaining a Walmart+ membership.
However, if you sign up for Walmart+, you automatically receive free delivery from the store for orders of $35 or more. You can also have most items shipped with free 2-day delivery with no minimum order required.
Does Walmart Offer a Military Discount?
Walmart does not offer a military discount. This isn't to say that Walmart doesn't love the members of the US military, however! Walmart hired more than 49,000 veterans and 27,000 military spouses in 2020 alone!
So why no military discount? The company tries to keep its prices at rock bottom so everyone can benefit, no matter where life has taken them.
Does Walmart Offer a Discount for Teachers?
Walmart offers a 10% discount during Teacher Appreciation Week for classroom supplies.
The dates for Teacher Appreciation Week vary, so keep an eye on your local Walmart for news about this year's dates. Also, keep in mind that the discount only applies to classroom supplies, so you won't be able to use the discount for groceries, toys, clothing, and other non-classroom goods.
Other Ways to Save on Walmart Purchases
Even though Walmart does not offer a discount to senior citizens, there are ways that you can save money when shopping there. And they don’t all involve reading the weekly circular.
Check for “Rollback” prices on the Walmart ad
As consumers, we assume that the glossy ad brochures that are printed each week list sale prices of items at the store. This isn’t necessarily true for Walmart. Most of the products’ prices listed in a Walmart ad are the ‘every day low price’ for the items.
Scattered throughout the Walmart ad, you will find ‘Rollback’ prices listed next to a few items. These products’ prices have been lowered — perhaps permanently or maybe for only 90 days. The rollback prices may be to move inventory on an item that isn’t selling well.
Ask for price-matching
Walmart has a strict price-matching policy, but they will match prices if the items in-store and online at Walmart.com are the exact same but have different prices.
To price match, the item on Walmart.com must be the same size, model, brand, color, and quantity as the one you plan to purchase in-store. The store must also have the item in stock at the time of your price match request.
All Walmart stores will price match online and in-store products as outlined above except for stores located in Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.
Price matching is also unavailable for competitor's products, special Walmart promotions (such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Rollback prices), rebate offers, offers that require or include financing, and prices from other Walmart locations.
Shop the clearance aisle and section at Walmart
Most Walmarts have a clearance aisle. Some Walmarts’ clearance sections are scattered throughout the store such as for food and clothing. Another clearance section could house clearance items from every other part of the store.
The products in the clearance section of Walmart are generally marked with yellow tags.
To save money on groceries at Walmart, you may look for yellow-tagged items that are marked as clearance because they are close to expiring. Canned foods that are dented may be marked for clearance too.
Savvy shoppers have noticed that the baked goods, meat, and produce that are close to their “sell by” date are often discounted in the morning. You may want to go to Walmart early in the day to take advantage of these discounts.
Shop online and receive a pickup discount
If you need to purchase an item that can’t be found at your local store, you may be able to receive what’s called a ‘pickup discount.’
To obtain the lower price, you purchase the item online and then choose the Walmart location where you will pick up the item.
Use a Walmart credit card to get a discount on your purchases
If you shop a lot at Walmart, you may consider applying for a Walmart credit card. Check the fine print on the credit card, but you may be able to receive a discount on items that you purchase through both the online and brick-and-mortar store.
Having a Walmart credit card may entitle you to a discount at gas stations attached to your local Walmart as well.
Use coupons
Clipping coupons is still a legitimate way to save money at Walmart. There are plenty of coupon websites that instruct you on how to use coupons effectively.
These coupon connoisseurs are so good at discount shopping that they often end up with free products. Perhaps couponing could be your new hobby during retirement.
Use discount apps
Even if you always forget your coupons when you arrive at Walmart to go shopping, you may be able to utilize money-saving apps on your phone. Several online coupon websites will offer a discount after you purchase a specific item.
You take a photo of your receipt, upload it into the system, and then the app will apply a “rebate” to your account.
Use free grocery pickup
Some Walmarts allow customers to order and pay for items online. A Walmart employee gathers those items for you, and you simply arrive at the store to pick up your purchases.
Although you do not receive a discount on the items you are buying, you will not be as tempted to pick up things that weren’t on your list as you wander through the store.
The first time you use the pickup service, you may be entitled to a small discount. Check with your local Walmart to see whether they offer this service or not.
What Stores Offer Senior Discounts?
As much as we love Walmart, you might want to visit other retailers. So, which ones do have a senior discount?
- Goodwill: Shop on Tuesdays and if you're 60 years old or older, you'll receive 10% off. Must show proof of age.
- JOANN: Shop on your local JOANN's senior discount day and you'll get 20% off if you're 55 years old or older. Must show government ID for proof of age.
- Kohl's: Shop on Wednesdays and show your ID, and if you're 60 or older, you'll get 15% off.
- Ross: Shop on Tuesdays and everyone 55 years old or older will receive 10% off your purchase with proof of age.
- Michaels: Shop any day and receive 10% off as long as you're 55 years old or older and have a Michaels account.
- Walgreens: Shop on your local Walgreens' senior discount day and you'll get 20% off if you're 55 years old or older, or you're an AARP member.
- Fred Meyer: Shop on the first Tuesday of the month and receive 10% off of select items if you're 55 years old or older.
Taking Advantage of Senior Discounts
Saving money is a great perk of being a senior citizen so get using those senior discounts! Even though Walmart doesn't have a specific discount for their older shoppers, they try to keep prices low so everyone can afford the goods and groceries they have for sale. No matter when you shop, by using the tips and tricks in this article, you can shop savvy.
End-of-life planning note: One of the most important cost-saving measures you can make is to complete your end-of-life planning before it's needed. Rather than having your children plan a funeral in the midst of grieving, you can record your wishes and set aside expenses to cover those plans, leaving loved ones free of financial worry while navigating their loss.
Sources:
- Yates, Vanessa. "Walmart Launches Walmart+ Assist." News, Walmart, 20 July 2023. Walmart.com
