Aarp?

[Hudlow]

Well I still shop at Walmart, but 98% of their stuff is made in China. I buy gas from Exxon which makes folks in the middle east richer and I am a member of AARP because their perks are good for my wallet.

No one's policies has any effect on how I vote.

I'd hate to think I was that easily influenced.

hud

[Cover Dog]

Anti-gun...no thank you !!!

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by oldcoot

we didn't and wouldn't join regardless of the discounts just because of aarp's policies.

x2000

[Rrickim63]

I just turned 50. Got the aarp application in the mail. Thought about the benefits, threw it in the trash!

2006 roo 23b
99 Silverado xtra cab with 4.8 and tow package

[FreedomTracker]

Not a member of any senior's organization yet... will only consider AMAC or American Seniors Association.

amac.us.
americanseniors.org

[grayfox]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

We didn't and wouldn't join regardless of the discounts just because of AARP's policies.

X-2... see post 19.

[Brother Les]

Take the Red Pill and get out of the Matrix... err.. get out of AA------

(this broadcast has been terminated by your friends at the Alphabet Soup Company and the fine folks at Depends)

[dalford]

Originally Posted by Hudlow

Well I still shop at Walmart, but 98% of their stuff is made in China. I buy gas from Exxon which makes folks in the middle east richer and I am a member of AARP because their perks are good for my wallet.

No one's policies has any effect on how I vote.

I'd hate to think I was that easily influenced.

hud

I have to buy gas and I have little choice about where a product is made but I don't have to shop at any store or join AARP.

If I have a choice I will not support a company or organization that would use my money to support and pay lobiest to push policies that I disagree with just to line my wallet with perks.

I would hate to think I had no choice.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by FreedomTracker

Not a member of any senior's organization yet... will only consider AMAC or American Seniors Association.
amac.us.
americanseniors.org

Thanks, I'm taking notes. Had not heard of either of those....

As to the post "why is the thread warning gone?" I donno. Another
moderator must have removed it. We are short staffed here in moderator
central. Many of the guys and gals are off the grid so to speak or on limited
wifi access. It's still Christmas break for those who are gainfully employed!

Thanks for keeping the discussion as friendly and low on the political scale
as possible.
I learned some things in this discussion. At the very least I learned there are alternatives.

Time for church here in the Bluegrass.... bye!

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Weezer

OK, why is the warning gone now, the one you have to acknowledge before you post to the thread?

I put the "Hot Topic" warning on (instead of closing the thread while we talked about it) and after some discussion decided to remove it.

Just to let you folks know, you will see it more often as it is another great tool we added to Moderate without the "heavy handedness" of PM warnings, strikes, and thread closures while we discuss the content being posted.

I must again strongly urge you to keep your comments "on point."

Obviously AARP is a political action committee with "senior issues" at it's core. Unfortunately, politics makes strange bed fellows and to get legislation passed unholy alliances sometimes get made.

As a LONG TIME "Life Member" of the NRA, I am aware of their shortcomings, yet that does not prevent me from taking advantage of their advantages when it suits me. I buy gas at Russian and Venezuelan gas stations when it is cheaper; and shop at Wal-Mart when there is a sale.

I try not to let my politics get in the way of good money management practices (IMO). Obviously not everyone agrees and sometimes boycotts work (not often though). No one can put a price on "Feel Good" choices and that is exploited by marketers regularly.

Since the OP asked about AARP and their advantages, it seems fair to allow discussion of their disadvantages. Chief among them are PAC practices that go against the grain of some older Americans. By not joining and trying to change those things with which you do not agree, the "water is diluted" by the influx of those who are more on board with current practices.

Obviously, my opinion is: if it works for you - join; if not - don't.

In all things; moderation.

[Oakman]

I enjoy the monthly magazine AARP sends out. Almost every month there is an article dealing with health issues, money saving advice, and an interview with a celebrity who is a senior. They usually have an article about travel too.
There was an article in this month's issue, “When to say NO to your surgeon.” It concerned robotic surgery and I found interesting and informative. Personally I think the magazine alone is worth the price of membership.
18 years ago when I turned 50 I began getting mailings from the AARP and I was actually insulted. HEY, I’m not old and I’m not a senior. 10 years later I joined. Even today I don’t consider myself a senior, I’m just a little worn.

[DDC]

Originally Posted by ddphillips52

Only of you agree with liberal, left leaning policies.

Sounds like my kind of people can I join too?

[Weezer]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Thanks, I'm taking notes. Had not heard of either of those....

As to the post "why is the thread warning gone?" I donno. Another
moderator must have removed it. We are short staffed here in moderator
central. Many of the guys and gals are off the grid so to speak or on limited
wifi access. It's still Christmas break for those who are gainfully employed!

Thanks for keeping the discussion as friendly and low on the political scale
as possible.
I learned some things in this discussion. At the very least I learned there are alternatives.

Time for church here in the Bluegrass.... bye!

Ummm, lucky for those in moderator land that are still on Christmas break and gainfully employed!

For DH and I, both fully "gainfully employed", Christmas break ended Thursday. Well, DH went back to work Thursday. I took an extra day off.


OK, I wandered off the topic trail, but in my defense I was still on the trail of the one blazed by KyDan.

To get back on track, the week I turned 50 and got that dreaded AARP invitation in the mail, DH gave me a hard time about it. (he's quite a bit younger than me...grin) Then we were at a restaurant not long after that and *HE* got offered the senior discount! Lots of beautiful white snow on that roof top.

Dad (85 y/o) was a die hard AARP member and cancelled it 3 years ago. The mail he gets now from them trying to get him back will fill a 55 gallon drum in a year's time.

To each their own. AARP ain't for us.

[wrvond]

Originally Posted by herk7769

<snip>

In all things; moderation.

In all things??
Sounds a bit excessive to me...

[dcheatwood]

Originally Posted by wrvond

In all things??
Sounds a bit excessive to me...

Funny. Good one.

[dwaynerz]

Wife gives me a hard time about not joining aarp for their discounts. A discount of 5 or 10% was offered on new malibus when we were looking for her a new car. I point out to her she didn't like the ride compared to the kia optima we bought. Discount wasn't worth giving money to an orginization whose stance I don't agree with. Looking into amac instead, and will check out asa as well.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Weezer

Ummm, lucky for those in moderator land that are still on Christmas break and gainfully employed!

For DH and I, both fully "gainfully employed", Christmas break ended Thursday. Well, DH went back to work Thursday. I took an extra day off.


OK, I wandered off the topic trail, but in my defense I was still on the trail of the one blazed by KyDan.

To get back on track, the week I turned 50 and got that dreaded AARP invitation in the mail, DH gave me a hard time about it. (he's quite a bit younger than me...grin) Then we were at a restaurant not long after that and *HE* got offered the senior discount! Lots of beautiful white snow on that roof top.

Dad (85 y/o) was a die hard AARP member and cancelled it 3 years ago. The mail he gets now from them trying to get him back will fill a 55 gallon drum in a year's time.

To each their own. AARP ain't for us.

Speaking of KyDan, he and I had a friendly exchange yesterday and I would appreciate his reply if he so chooses to do so.

If not, I won't ask again.

[dalford]

For the OP about is it worth it. Here is a link to an article from MSN Money about that very question.. Looks like you can get most of your discounts elsewhere and keep your principles...

http://money.msn.com/retirement/arti...4-092c008d743e

[Mikegjax]

I will stick with my principles. Money is not everything!

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by dalford

I have to buy gas and I have little choice about where a product is made but I don't have to shop at any store or join AARP.

If I have a choice I will not support a company or organization that would use my money to support and pay lobiest to push policies that I disagree with just to line my wallet with perks.

I would hate to think I had no choice.

My sentiments exactly. I like discounts as much as anyone, but won't accept a discount just to promote policies with which I vehemently disagree.