A viral TikTok posted last week by user @zacharyburrabel just brought to light a lesser-known lifehack.
Responding to a prompt from another TikTok video which asked “What’s something really important that you should’ve been taught in school but you weren’t,” @zacharyburrabel, whose real name is Zachary Burr Abel, explains in his now-viral TikTok that’s accumulated over 12 million views and almost 3 million likes, how you don’t have to be over fifty years of age to join AARP, a non-profit, members-only organization that mainly focuses on issues affecting retirees or people over fifty.
“I wish they taught me that you don’t have to be over 50 to join AARP … I would’ve saved so much money,” says Abel in the TikTok. A member since 2014, Abel explains how he joined AARP at just thirty-four years old, citing the organization’s membership policy.
“Dedicated to people over 50, but no minimum age,” says Abel referencing AARP’s website and noting membership costs as low as $12 a year.
He then goes on to detail where he’s saved the most with his membership.
“If you fly British Airways, you get 65 bucks off economy and premium economy and $200 off business class. I’ve saved loads doing this.”
Multiple restaurants, including Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill and Denny’s, offer 10% to 15% discounts for AARP members. With a membership, you can also save up to 30% on Avis car rentals plus a slew of hotels. In the TikTok, Abel shows how he can save $100 with an AARP rate at a Hilton hotel in Disney World Orlando.
While you shouldn’t always take TikTok advice at face value, Abel is entirely correct here. When the AARP was founded in 1958, the organization was initially called the American Association of Retired Persons, but in 1999 it was changed to its current, more recognizable acronym to reflect that the org’s purpose was no longer focused solely on American retirees. And as Abel cited in his TikTok, per AARP’s website “While AARP is dedicated to people over 50, there is no minimum age to join. People of all ages can get an AARP membership for as low as $12 per year with auto-renewal.”
Next to the benefits noted above, you can save on everything from cruises and travel planning to financial services like banking, investments and fraud protection to retirement plans and so much more. You can check out the full list of membership benefits here and a step-by-step guide on how to apply for an AARP membership here.
More Like This
Whether you’re looking to get into shape, or just get out of a funk, The Charge has got you covered. Sign up for our new wellness newsletter today.
