9 retirement-friendly freebies that can save you big bucks

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Everybody loves free stuff, regardless of how old you are or how much money you have. Finding great deals and discounts can really help stretch the budget — and freebies are even better!

There are tons of great opportunities available for people to save during specific stages of life, such as discounts for people with a student ID and special offers for retirees. And when you’re on a fixed income, that’s when freebies can really come in handy!

So to help you keep more money in your pocket, here are some of the best retirement friendly freebies. And keep in mind that some of these offers are only available to people of a certain age (retired or not) and some are available to anyone on a fixed income.

Read more: 10 discounts people age 50 and over should know about

9 of the best retirement-friendly freebies

1. Prescriptions

Check out RxAssist to find free or low-cost prescriptions available from patient assistance programs of pharmaceutical companies. You can also shop around at different retailers to find certain medications for free or at super discounted prices. Here’s a list of stores to check.

Some more ways to reduce the cost of prescriptions: consider generics, shop online and you can even negotiate with some pharmacies. Here’s more on these saving strategies.

2. Education

If you want to go back to school, there are ways to do it without spending a fortune — and in many cases, without spending anything. Many state universities and colleges allow older residents to take courses for free. Another option is taking online courses, which are available from tons of schools nationwide to pretty much anyone with an Internet connection.

Here’s more on how to find free courses in your area and online.

3. Preventative care

Thanks to new health care laws, health insurers (and Medicare) now cover certain preventative care services, including flu shots, cholesterol and blood pressure screenings, mammograms, annual wellness visits and screenings for cervical and colorectal cancer.

And while many preventative health care costs are covered, there are also ways to save on other health care and dental expenses. Here are eight ways to afford dental care on a fixed income.

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4. Free food and big discounts

If you’ve turned 50, you’re eligible for tons of freebies and discounts from various retailers, grocery stores, restaurants and more. Here’s a list of some deals and discounts you should know about.

5. Transportation

Many states and cities allow older people to use public transportation for free, and many other local areas offer reduced prices for older people. Check with your local transportation service to find out about free and reduced cost options.

6. Eye care

EyeCare America, a program offered by the American Academy of Opthalmology, provides free assistance to people 65 and older who don’t have private insurance and haven’t seen an eye doctor in three or more years.

The program offers free eye exams, along with one year of care for any disease diagnosed during that exam. Get more details about the program and see if you qualify here.

Read more: The best ways to get cheap prescription glasses online

7. Retirement planning

It’s never too late to start planning. If you’re working later in life and want to make sure you’re financially prepared for the day when you do stop working, there are ways to get help for free.

Fidelity has a free tool available that allows you to estimate your expenses and income in retirement, and then recommends investment strategies to generate steady income. Vanguard also has a free tool that helps you calculate exactly how much income you’ll need in retirement to meet your specific needs.

8. Tax prep

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly program offers free tax assistance to individuals 60 and older. According to the program, IRS-certified volunteers provide free assistance and basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals at community locations across the nation. Get more information here.

9. Phone service

The federal government has a program that can eliminate or reduce your monthly phone bills. Check out the website to see if you qualify.

Major wireless carriers also offer packages and deals that are better suited for older people’s phone usage. Here’s a guide from NerdWallet on which ones to consider.

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