Over 50s MoneySaving Checklist Discussion

[MSE Rose]

Hi all, this thread is specifically to discuss the guide:

Over 50s MoneySaving Checklist

We want your feedback - what worked for you, and are there any other juicy discounts, tips or tricks you've found that could help other MoneySavers? Just click reply to share your feedback.

Thanks,

MSE Rose

[Paul Stevens]

I see from the recent e-mail that mention is made of Focus DIY's 10% discount card. As some will know, from time to time they also send out a 15% discount card which has about a month's validity - well worth waiting for!

[Cimscate]

Many theatres give big discounts for over 60's. I got tickets for Jersey Boys for �19.50 in row B of dress circle - normally �60. You have to ring the theatre direct to get this discount.

[alanq]

Cafe Giardino give 10% discount to over-60's without the need for a card. (They have stopped publicising this since they introduced a free discount card that anyone can apply for by supplying their details.)

[Errata]

That's helpful. I unsubscribed to the weekly email some considerable time ago when my email addy was swamped in spam and MSE admitted it was to blame. It happened to other members as well.
So - I'd like to comment, but I can't !

[JackieO]

Originally Posted by Cimscate

Many theatres give big discounts for over 60's. I got tickets for Jersey Boys for �19.50 in row B of dress circle - normally �60. You have to ring the theatre direct to get this discount.

My DD got us some great seats for this show last April and we had a wonderful day out.She mentioned that I was a pensioner plus I had a mobility problem and they couldn't have been more helpful She too got two tickets with her as my 'carer' for a third of the price of what they should have been,fantastic show and I loved every minute of it

[hethmar]

I signed up for the Senior Friend card (�16 a year) at my local city theatre. Up to half price on first nights and reductions for yourself and up to 3 friends (they dont have to be seniors) for most of the shows.

[caw99]

Just to let you all know that to get help with your central heating, repairs replacing a boiler etc call warmfront they will ask a few questions, check to make sure they have not previously award a grant, and if you are on benefits.
If you are not on benefits you can receive a voucher worth �300 which you hand over to the fitter when the work is completed and he deducts it from your bill.
just make sure you get several estimates, all the fitters have to be registered with warmfront to be able to use the voucher.

we obtained 3 quotes after moving home when we found the boiler to be faulty, we called someone who had installed central in our previous home and 2 others, the one we chose was charging almost �1000 less than the fitter we had used in the past, he did a better job, was quick, came when he said he would, the finish and fittings were better than we had in our other home, it was a quality job for a lesser cost. We are in shropshire if anyone wants his name let me know.

[Primrose]

Boots have an Over 60's discount card scheme. B & Q have a 10% discount day on one weekday (think it may be Wednesday) if you sign up for a card. Many garden centres have a discount for a Pensioners Day if you ask.
My hairdresser offers lower pensioners' prices Monday to Thursday.
The National Trust have a lower subscription rate for pensioners.
Also as others have posted, many theatres offer concessions for pensioners.

[deepdale56]

An even bigger potential saving than the 1/3 off ticket prices is the fact that a Senior Railcard converts a Saver ticket into an Open ticket i.e. travel at peak times at Saver rates (excluding a single journey starting and finishing in Greater London i.e. commuting).

[wealdroam]

Originally Posted by deepdale56

An even bigger potential saving than the 1/3 off ticket prices is the fact that a Senior Railcard converts a Saver ticket into an Open ticket i.e. travel at peak times at Saver rates (excluding a single journey starting and finishing in Greater London i.e. commuting).

I may be wrong, but I think you'll find that is only applicable to Virgin Trains.

This map shows their network.

[Dippypud]

Originally Posted by wealdroam

I may be wrong, but I think you'll find that is only applicable to Virgin Trains.

This map shows their network.

Check it out here:

http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/buy...rms-conditions

[wealdroam]

Originally Posted by Dippypud

Check it out here:

http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/buy...rms-conditions

Thanks Dippypud.

Just had a look at that link, but couldn't see anything pertinent.

[anamenottaken]

Originally Posted by Errata

That's helpful. I unsubscribed to the weekly email some considerable time ago when my email addy was swamped in spam and MSE admitted it was to blame. It happened to other members as well.
So - I'd like to comment, but I can't !

What's your point about not being able to comment?

If you don't receive the email you can still read the content on the site.

[Savvy_Sue]

Originally Posted by wealdroam

I may be wrong, but I think you'll find that is only applicable to Virgin Trains.

This map shows their network.

Originally Posted by Dippypud

Check it out here:

http://www.senior-railcard.co.uk/buy...rms-conditions

Originally Posted by wealdroam

Thanks Dippypud.

Just had a look at that link, but couldn't see anything pertinent.

Time restrictions

The Railcard discount isn�t available on tickets for travel during the morning rush hour (peak time), Monday to Friday (not including Public Holidays) when journeys are made wholly within the London and South East area. The times of morning off-peak services do vary by route and are normally related to the availability of Off-Peak Day tickets. It's best to check with ticket office staff before buying your tickets. There are some easements to the London and South East area restrictions, see restrictions.

It's clearly not just Virgin trains you can travel at any time of day on. It's practically any, except most of London and the SE.

Although it doesn't specifically mention Saver tickets and Open tickets, I think that's the difference between them: you can't get Saver tickets in the rush hour (normally).

[wealdroam]

Originally Posted by Savvy_Sue

It's clearly not just Virgin trains you can travel at any time of day on. It's practically any, except most of London and the SE.

Although it doesn't specifically mention Saver tickets and Open tickets, I think that's the difference between them: you can't get Saver tickets in the rush hour (normally).

But the point made in post #10 was that with a Senior Railcard one could get the railcard discount and travel at peak times with an off peak ticket.
In other words, travel at peak times with a railcard discounted off peak ticket.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to find a link that confirms this, but I still believe this extra facility is only available on Virgin Trains.

[Savvy_Sue]

Originally Posted by wealdroam

But the point made in post #10 was that with a Senior Railcard one could get the railcard discount and travel at peak times with an off peak ticket.
In other words, travel at peak times with a railcard discounted off peak ticket.

but isn't that the difference between an 'open' ticket and a 'saver' ticket: ie with an open you can travel at any time, with a saver you can only travel outside the rush hour?

I don't know, I get very confused myself, when there are degrees of saving for off peak day returns at different times of day advertised ...

[wealdroam]

Originally Posted by Savvy_Sue

but isn't that the difference between an 'open' ticket and a 'saver' ticket: ie with an open you can travel at any time, with a saver you can only travel outside the rush hour?

I don't know, I get very confused myself, when there are degrees of saving for off peak day returns at different times of day advertised ...

If one wants to travel at peak time (whatever that may be), generally one needs to buy an Anytime ticket.
Outside peak times, an Off Peak ticket is the one to buy.

As you say, either of those tickets can be bought with a railcard discount (with some SouthEast restrictions).

But in addition to that, Virgin will allow a railcard holder to travel at peak times with an Off Peak ticket.
My understanding is that only Virgin Trains offer this extra 'discount'.

I am finding this difficult to explain, but hope we're getting there.

[grumpycrab]

Shouldn't this be renamed "over-60s checklist" as a. most items in the list apply to over-60s and b. I don't like it being implied that I'm old at 51 :-)

[maxmiler]

Couldn't agree more with Grumpycrab.