Community Stories/News

Stretching Your Budget with Senior Discounts, Free & Low Cost Activities

Many seniors live on a fixed income or have budgets that are tighter than when they were younger and worked full- or part-time. So it’s always satisfying to uncover discounts to make your dollars stretch further when you shop, eat out or fill your prescriptions. Community organizations can help you save money, too, as they offer numerous free or very low-cost programs that can help enhance your life in many different ways, from making new friends to participating in stimulating activities.

Senior Discounts:

A variety of Senior Discounts are available year-round at restaurants, retail stores, grocery stores and businesses catering to travelers. This website will give you an idea of what’s out there:  Senior Citizen Discount List. In general, it doesn’t hurt to ask if any special deals are available for older patrons at any of the restaurants or businesses you frequent.

The NH Rx Card is a free statewide discount prescription assistance program designed to provide savings on prescriptions not covered by your health insurance or Medicare Part D. Learn more at www. nhrxcard.com.

Birthday Freebies:

When your birthday rolls around, you may be eligible to receive a free entrée, dessert, drink or other goodies at these area restaurants. Most require you to sign up in advance to receive a free coupon or show your ID on the day you are at the restaurant. Some let you have the free deal any day during your birthday month. Not all chain restaurants participate, so be sure to ask your server before ordering.

99 Restaurant – a free dessert; Applebee’s – a free entrée; Burger King – a free Whopper or free Croissan’wich; Dunkin’ Donuts – free hot or cold beverage; McDonald’s – a free large sandwich, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken, etc.; Subway – a free cookie; Pizza Hut – free cinnamon sticks. And at Redbox, you can receive a free movie rental.

Senior Centers:

Socialize, stay fit, engage in creative activities, learn a new skill, enjoy a nutritious meal and, best of all, have fun at one of the North Country’s senior centers. Most programs are free, while a few have a small fee.

Community members can participate in multiple activities at the Littleton Area Senior Center. Among the free offerings are Mahjong, cribbage, art, exercise, book club, knitters’ group, line dancing, game day, a walking group, the Bone Builders program and several more. Breakfast and lunch are served Monday through Friday, with a suggested $3 donation for each. And, if you don’t drive, the Senior Center can arrange transportation.

At the Senior Center of Coös in Berlin, free programs range from yoga and Bone Builders to cribbage and games. Various free art classes, such as painting, pottery, and woodworking, are offered at the nearby Assemble Makerspace Studios. Senior congregate meals are served Monday through Friday, with a suggested donation of $3 for those over 60.

The McIntyre School Apartments in Whitefield serves breakfast at 9 a.m. on Monday and Friday mornings, and lunch at noon on Wednesdays. Seniors are asked to make a donation. Bingo is called on Wednesdays at 1 p.m., with a small charge for cards, and an exercise class is held on Tuesday and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m., with a suggested donation of $1.

Libraries:

Have you visited the library in your community? If you are not a regular patron you might be amazed at the selection of materials that you can check out for FREE as long as you are a resident of the town. Libraries house extensive collections of books for every taste and interest, along with large print books, audiobooks, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and regional newspapers. You’ll also find FREE computers and Internet access, historical displays, art exhibits, and programs on a variety of topics.

Free Community Meals:

On Tuesday evenings, from October through March, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on Main Street in Lancaster, serves up a free meal of homemade soups, breads and desserts. 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall.

The Dinner Bell Community Meal is served every Tuesday at 5 p.m. from September to June in the Parish Hall at All Saints Episcopal Church, 35 School Street in Littleton.

Free Music:

Outdoor concerts are a welcome activity on a summer’s evening. Pack a picnic supper, bring a blanket or chair, and sit back and enjoy the free music.

Bethlehem’s Summer Concert Series at the Gazebo draws crowds every Sunday evening beginning at 6 p.m., rain or shine. T

Whitefield’s Band Concerts are now in their 143rd season, with concerts on the Common on Monday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m.

There is one concert remaining in the Littleton Concerts in the Park series, held at the gazebo at Remich Park.

 

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