After twenty years I've finally joined AARP
Two decades ago I was cruising down the highway towards fifty years old. As if hitting the half-century make wasn't enough of a mid-fuck, I started receiving all kinds of things that were a reminder of the impending big 5-ZERO. The biggest reminder was an almost daily invitation to become an AARP member. Snail mail (although I'm not sure we called it that in 2002), e-mail, and the occasional phone call were constant pushes to let me know that AARP desperately wanted my business.
I decided to turn down their generous offer for membership. Yeah, I knew about the wonderful benefits such as reduced rates on flights, rental cars, and hotels. Also, I hear their insurance plans are excellent. Plus, there are lots of discounts at many restaurants. In spite of all of that, I decided to pass. I went on with the rest of my life. I haven't thought much about AARP since then.
It's now twenty years since that first AARP solicitation. I'm now closing in on seventy; another milestone birthday. The big 7-ZERO. A few weeks ago, I checked my e-mail. There was another offer to become an AARP member. But, this time they were offering incentives to sign up.
If I could commit to a one-year membership, they'll send me this lovely tote bag. Hmmm...I've been looking for something new to hold my laptop. Maybe this will work. Plus, they'll give me a second one-year membership for someone else living in the same household.....AT NO ADDITIONAL COST!!!
Okay...okay...OKAY!!! You win, AARP. You got me! Here's my hard-earned sixteen bucks.
Last week I received the tote bag. You can see what it looks like in the photo at the top of the column. Yeah, it's more than a little flimsy and although my laptop does fit inside, I'll most likely never use it for that. Honestly, I'll probably never use it for anything. Damn, sixteen dollars down the drain.
However, after the disappointment of the tote bag, I did find something better.
It's time for a new pair of glasses. I like the frames on the pair I currently wear, so I went back to the store where they were purchased. All I want to do is replace the lenses. It turned out the cost of doing that was more than the original glasses, fames and all, unless.....
YOU'RE AN AARP MEMBER!!
SCORE!!! That sixteen-dollar investment is about to pay off big! Who knew!!
So now I'm wondering what else I missed out on during the last twenty years? Did I make a mistake in 2002? Sigh! I have eleven months to figure this out. Does anyone know if AARP has discounts for Fargo, North Dakota hotels?
Related Post: The road to seventy is full of potholes
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