Savage Words: So far, I'm out $1.22 but it's been worth it

By: 
Tom A. Savage, Contributing writer

There are significant birthdays in every person’s life.

When you’re little, at least for me, you can’t wait to be old enough to drive. That’s usually around 14 or 15.

At 17 you can go to an R-rated movie. At 21, you’re legally able to purchase alcohol. At 35, you can be president of the United States – although I have zero interest in that job. Writing stories about football players, basketball players, baseball players and racecar drivers, no matter the reception, has been a blast for me.

Those were always the biggies that I thought of when I was little. 14, 17, 21, 35. After that, I thought, you just prepared to live out your life and be a boring adult.

That is until I hit my 55th birthday last month. Who knew there were so many discounts out there for…uh hum, seniors?

Senior. I truly don’t feel like I’m a senior. I really feel more like a college senior than a…uh hum, senior. 

But the benefits of turning 55 started to come my way over the last several weeks. A couple of visits to a pair of fast food restaurants (and I know, I should probably start curbing my fast food weaknesses now that I’m a senior) presented an opportunity to save some cash. 

My bill was $7.20 at the first stop. The young cashier looked up at me with an inquisitive look.

“Are you at least 55,” she asked. “Because if you are, I can save you 10 percent on your bill.”

I had literally just turned 55 a few days earlier. I found her question fascinating.

“I am,” I said. “But for 72 cents, I’ll save some dignity and let you keep it.” 

Three weeks later, I had another encounter. I have Type 2 diabetes, so for several years, I’ve really tried to stay away from soda. Wine, on the other hand? I’m just going to continue to tell myself that wine is good for diabetes. 

Very rarely do I order a soft drink with lunch or dinner. When I was first diagnosed with pre-Type 2 diabetes about a decade ago, staying away from sugary drinks was one of the things that my doctor said that has always stuck with me.

I made my lunch order at the counter of fast food restaurant No. 2, which included a glass for water.

“No soda,” the cashier asked me.

“Nope,” I said. “Just water.”

Again, a query from the cashier caught me off guard.

“Are you sure,” she asked. “If you’re over 55, I can give you 50 cents off.”

I told her that I was indeed 55 years old, but declined the 50 cents. Declined it because I didn’t want or need the soda, and because of the principle of not taking a senior discount.

So that’s $1.22 that I’ve turned down since turning 55. My pocketbook may be a tad lighter because of it, but I still have some dignity that I’m going to continue to act like a college senior instead of a…uh hum, senior.

Little did I know that there’s a long list of places that offer discounts for people 55 years or older. There’s even a longer list, and better deals, for those 65 and older.

A recent NBC poll suggests that people in the United States believe old age starts at 75. So, I’ve got 20 years of youthfulness ahead of me with the ability to continue to turn down $1.22’s that come my way.

But perhaps a few more birthdays will help me wise up. After looking at the discount lists online, one thing is certain: Denny’s restaurant is going to have their hands full in 10 years when I turn 65. 

 

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The Brandon Valley Journal

 

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