This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
There’s no shame in saving money.
Whether you have money or don’t, using discounts could save you thousands of dollars.
My mother is infamous for asking for the following discounts wherever she goes:
Teacher /Educator discount
Chaplain discount
Military discount
Senior discount
It rubbed off on me some, not to the extent as her, but to a degree. I recently visited NY and checked out some prominent museums; I got free admission for many of them because I asked for a military discount. I’ve never served in the military, but my whole family has, which led me to get in on some of the perks, aka military IDs.
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There’s No Shame In Saving Money
You can call someone cheap, but if they’re saving more money than you and have more funds piled up in the bank than you, are you one to talk as if you’re winning?
No.
One of the primary reasons people don’t ask for discounts is because they fear being seen as broke – even though they most likely are. Saving money wherever you can find is similar to investing in your future. The more money you have at your disposal, the more money you can save for future use.
Many Places Will Give You A Discount If You Ask
I’ve received discounts at random stores, restaurants, hotels, theatres, museums, transportation, and online businesses. The more you ask, the more often you’ll receive a “yes” and the more comfortable you will be asking the “shameful” question: Do you offer any discounts?
Many places oblige to giving a discount because their primary goal is to get your business. And if you end up liking their product, you’ll potentially become a repeat customer. And a repeat customer who pays discounted prices is worth more than a one-time customer who pays high prices.
Discount List
If you ever build up the guts to ask for a discount, here are a few ideas. The worst an establishment can tell you is “no.”
Senior discount
Student discount
Business discount
Affiliate discount
Military discount
Birthday discount
Chaplain discount
New resident discount
Teacher /Educator discount
So, if you haven’t been receiving or getting discounts, this is the perfect time to start. You’ll wish you started implementing the questions sooner because you start saving ample financial resources. It will also be a surprise to learn how many companies – that don’t offer a formal discount program – offer discounts informally because you asked.
Business owners understand the power of saving a dollar because they realize that every expense adds up; all of this can create greater empathy for their customers. Some businesses are better at giving discounts than others – as you’ll learn from experience.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.