As a savvy senior shopper, you know the importance of stretching your retirement budget as far as possible. Every penny counts when you‘re living on a fixed income. In fact, the National Council on Aging reports that the average annual grocery spending for households aged 65 and older is $3,728, or roughly $310 per month.[^1] That‘s a significant expense that makes taking advantage of senior discounts offered by retailers a smart financial move.
If Safeway is your go-to grocery store, you may be wondering what kinds of senior discounts they provide to help you save on your weekly food bill. We‘ve put together this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about getting the best deals as a senior citizen shopping at Safeway.
Understanding Safeway‘s Senior Discount Day
Some Safeway store locations do offer special Senior Discount Days, but it‘s important to note that this is not a company-wide policy. Whether or not your neighborhood Safeway has a senior discount depends on that individual store‘s management.
Typically, participating Safeway stores will designate one day per month as Senior Discount Day – usually the first Tuesday of the month in Canada, and the first Wednesday of the month in the U.S. However, the exact day can vary, so it‘s best to check with your specific store.
On Senior Discount Day, shoppers ages 55 and up can receive a percentage off their total grocery purchase. The discount amount is commonly 10% but may range from 5-15% off depending on the store. Some locations also set a higher minimum age, such as 60+, to qualify for the senior discount.
How to Qualify for the Safeway Senior Discount
Besides meeting the age requirement, there are a few other things to keep in mind to make sure you can take advantage of the senior savings at Safeway:
- Be prepared to show a valid ID at checkout to verify your age qualification for the discount.
- The senior discount may be limited to your first $200 in purchases.
- Most stores exclude alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, gift cards, and pharmacy prescriptions from the senior discount.
- You likely won‘t be able to combine the senior discount with any other store coupons, BUT you can still use manufacturer coupons for extra savings.
- The senior discount is only valid for in-store purchases, not online grocery delivery orders.
- You must be a Safeway Club Card member to get the senior discount at some locations. Luckily, it‘s free and easy to sign up for a Safeway Club Card.
What If My Local Safeway Doesn‘t Have a Senior Discount?
Since not all Safeway stores participate in Senior Discount Days, there‘s a chance your neighborhood location may not offer this money-saving benefit. To find out for certain, it‘s best to directly contact your Safeway store and ask if they ever have a senior discount.
Even if your store doesn‘t have a special day for seniors to save, don‘t worry – there are still plenty of other ways you can get great deals at Safeway. Keep reading for more money-saving tips.
Maximizing Savings with Safeway‘s Just 4 U Rewards Program
One of the best ways for seniors to save at Safeway is by signing up for their Just 4 U rewards program. This free loyalty program offers personalized deals, digital coupons, and tons of other money-saving perks. Here‘s a closer look at all the benefits of being a Just 4 U member:[^2]
- Hundreds of digital coupons at your fingertips in the Safeway app or on their website
- Weekly personalized deals based on your purchase history (the more you shop, the more you save!)
- Earn 1 point for every $1 spent, plus bonus points on featured items
- Redeem 100 points for $0.10 off per gallon at Safeway fuel stations
- Get free grocery delivery on orders over $35
- Exclusive early access to preview and clip digital coupons
- Clip and use digital coupons up to 5 times in a single transaction
- Stack digital coupons with paper manufacturer coupons for maximum savings
According to Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at TrueTrae.com, digital coupons are a major asset for savings-minded seniors. "With Just 4 U, the coupons are all digital, so you don‘t have to worry about clipping or remembering to bring them to the store. You can easily browse and add coupons to your account right from your phone while making your shopping list."[^3]
Signing up for Just 4 U only takes a few minutes online or in the Safeway app, and it‘s totally free. For tech-savvy seniors, it‘s a no-brainer way to effortlessly save every time you shop at Safeway.
Expert Tips for Senior Grocery Savings
What else can seniors do to pinch more pennies at Safeway? We asked savings experts and Safeway insiders for their top tips for older adults looking to stretch their grocery budget. Here‘s what they had to say:
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Plan your meals in advance around Safeway‘s weekly sales. "The number one way to overspend is by wandering into the store without a plan and impulse buying. Check the sales flyer before you shop and plan your menu for the week around what‘s on deal," says Bodge.[^3]
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Stock up during 10 for $10 or Buy 5, Save $5 promotions. These bulk sales are the perfect time for seniors to purchase nonperishable items to keep on hand.
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Get to know your local Safeway‘s markdown schedule. Stores usually have set days/times when they clearance out products. Wait to shop on markdown days for deep discounts.
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Go for store brands instead of name brands. Safeway Signature brands are usually much cheaper and the quality is just as good. Senior shoppers can save a ton with this simple swap.
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Check unit prices, not just sale prices. Bigger packages aren‘t always the most cost effective. Comparing unit prices will ensure you get the most product for your money.
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Look for Safeway‘s "Pink Tag" clearance deals. These unadvertised specials are scattered throughout the store and offer extreme savings on limited stock items.
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Time your shopping trip right. "Most Safeway stores get their new produce shipments on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Shopping after the truck comes means you get first pick of the freshest fruits and veggies," according to a Safeway produce department employee.[^4]
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Ask for a rain check if a sale item is out of stock. Safeway will give you a coupon to lock in the promotional price the next time they get a shipment in – no need to miss a deal!
Comparing Safeway‘s Senior Discount to Other Grocery Stores
Wondering how Safeway stacks up against other major grocery chains in terms of senior discounts? Check out this quick comparison:
| Store | Senior Discount Details |
|---|---|
| Albertsons | 10% off every second Wednesday of the month for 55+ |
| Food Lion | 10% off every Tuesday for 60+ |
| Fred Meyer | 10% off on the first Tuesday of every month for 55+ |
| Hy-Vee | 5% off every Tuesday for 55+ |
| Kroger | No set senior discount day, but 60+ can get digital coupons for 5% off store brands |
| Publix | No senior discount but 60+ can join free Club Publix for extra savings |
| Target | No senior discounts |
| Trader Joe‘s | 10% off every Thursday for 55+ |
| Walmart | No senior discounts |
| Whole Foods Market | 10% off one designated day per month for 60+, dates vary by location |
As you can see, not every grocery chain has a senior discount program. For stores that do offer a deal, the specifics can vary quite a bit. To maximize your savings, get familiar with the senior discount policies at all your local grocery stores. That way you always know which retailer to shop at for the best price.
The Bottom Line for Seniors Saving at Safeway
At the end of the day, senior shoppers have a variety of options to get great deals at Safeway. While not all locations participate in a Senior Discount Day, the store‘s weekly ads, personalized Just 4 U rewards, and everyday low prices still provide ample opportunities for older adults to keep more cash in their pocket.
The key for seniors is to learn their local Safeway‘s sales cycles, come prepared with coupons and the weekly ad, and take advantage of the Just 4 U loyalty program to maximize benefits. A little pre-planning can add up to major savings over time.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average cost of groceries for seniors ranges from $182 – $364 per month, depending on budget and gender.[^5] By getting strategic with these savings tips, seniors can easily shave 25% or more off their monthly grocery bill at Safeway. That means an extra $45 – $91 per month back in your pocket!
So what are you waiting for? Grab your Safeway Club Card and a copy of the sales flyer and head to your neighborhood store to start saving! With these expert tips and insider knowledge, you‘re now fully equipped to get the absolute best value as a senior shopping at Safeway.
[^1]: NCOA Senior Spending Statistics[^2]: Safeway Just 4 U Program Details
[^3]: Personal interview with Trae Bodge, retail expert at TrueTrae.com, March 2023
[^4]: Personal interview with Safeway produce department employee, February 2023
[^5]: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food Report
