In one old Seinfeld TV show episode, on a visit to Florida, Jerry Seinfeld learned a hard lesson. It was to not resist his retiree parents’ habit of early-bird dining to get a discount. Discount or not, Jerry refused to eat so early. By bucking his parents’ lifestyle, he and his parents ended up with unexpected complications. (It only happens that way on a TV show of course!)
“Hunger will make people do amazing things. I mean, the proof is cannibalism.” (Jerry Seinfeld)
Hunger has not driven me THAT far, but I am apparently turning into Jerry’s parents. Like them, retired me now has a quest to find those dining bargains also. In addition, as covid restrictions lift, I find going out to eat has gained more significance. Eating out-scarce during lockdowns- is now even more of a treat.
But back to the bargains… Thankfully there are some reasonable dining bargains out there. AARP has lists of participating restaurant/fast food discounts. These range from IHOP, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Corner Bakery, Rainforest Cafe, McDonalds to Fisherman’s Wharf, Denny’s, Dairy Queen, or Sonic. Lists change, so check (https://www.aarp.org/membership/diningbenefits.) or call the place to see if they still participate.
Calories Don’t Count When Couponing
Other dining coupons are available in the newspaper (remember those things called newspapers- retired folk do?!) Or other good bargain dining options can be found in those mailers that come with the junk mail, with offers for local restaurants. It is good to look for those local dining bargains. It can help support your local dining establishments that struggled along with you through the pandemic.
Keep Your Coupons Close, and Your Couponing Friends Even Closer
Searching for dining bargains often forces a person to be social, since most coupons are set up to work for two or more. Even though one could grumble that the coupon world favors a “couple’s world,” doubling up for dining bargains can be a good thing. A social network of friends and family is particularly crucial for a retiree’s (or anyone’s) mental health. Using that dining coupon to socialize over food can be a well-being win-win.
So the Seinfelds and I look for those dinner discounts. And if some restaurant near me offered an early bird discount at 3pm, I’d probably go!
