Frugal finds
Top freebies for seniors
One of the best parts of growing older is discovering a bounty of discounts available to seniors. There are many no-cost services that allow seniors to stretch their budgets during retirement. Here are a handful of freebies seniors can seek.
TAX PREPARATION
Preparing one’s own taxes can be a daunting task, but accounting services can cost big bucks. Seniors can save money and reduce stress through free tax services. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly program both offer free tax help to seniors. In addition, the AARP Foundation Tax-Aid program offers free tax preparation, even for nonmembers. More information is available at www.irs.gov and www.aarp.org.
HEALTH SCREENINGS
Seniors who stay in the loop about local happenings can find plenty of free health screenings to help keep them in tip-top shape. During the River Valley & Ozark Edition Senior Expo, health care professionals from the Conway Regional Health System will provide free health screenings, including blood-pressure, glucose and cholesterol screenings, and balance/ posture assessments.
INTERNET SERVICE
Reliable access to internet service is becoming increasingly important to daily life, but some seniors may find it impracticable to pay for internet service if they only go online occasionally. Fortunately, free internet services are available. Companies such as Juno and NetZero offer 10 hours of dial-up internet per month at no cost. For more information, visit www.juno.com or www.netzero.net.
ENERGYCOMPANY EVALUATIONS
Energy-efficient homes help homeowners save money on utility bills and help protect the environment. Many energy companies offer free evaluations to help determine a home’s efficiency. For example, Entergy Arkansas’ Home Energy Solutions Program allows eligible customers to receive homeenergy assessments and some recommended upgrades at no cost. To learn more, visit www.entergy-arkansas.com.