Discounts through your employer

[disneysteve]

If you work for a relatively large company, whether national or even just a big local employer, look into any discounts that may be available to you. My wife works for a local hospital system and little by little, we've been learning about discounts she is eligible for. Just today, I found out that she can get a 24% discount on our monthly AT&T cell phone bill. Considering our bill is now over $180/month (that's for 5 people on a family plan), that discount works out to a lot of money. Who knew?

Her job also gives her access to a national discount website that handles travel, shows, tourist attractions, sporting events, theater stuff and more. We were going to use it to get discount admission to the Empire State Bldg when we went to NYC recently but because it was a last minute trip, we didn't have time to have the tickets sent to us. Next time we plan a trip, we will definitely check the available discounts in advance.

My wife also found out the other day that we can get reduced price movie tickets at AMC theater, which is where we always go to see movies. She's going to get the details this week and probably order some passes for us to see Alice in Wonderland next month.

Definitely speak to your HR department or check out the company web site to see what discounts you might be able to get. You could be passing up hundreds of dollars a year in discounts.

[Jazzmint98]

I get a discount too. I have gotten it for many years. It definitely helps lessen the pain of the cell phone bill!

[stressedmama]

Very true. I work for a large employer and get discounts for daycare (10% off), cell phone bill and accessories, and tickets to shows such as Disney on Ice, professional sporting events, and amusement parks around the country. It has saved us a lot of money! The only downer is that in the last two years my company is slowing scaling back on these incentives.

[skydivingchic]

A few months ago I was able to purchase the entire Microsoft Office Suite for about $40 through my employer. Regular cost would have been 10X that.

[am_vanquish]

A few months ago I was able to purchase the entire Microsoft Office Suite for about $40 through my employer. Regular cost would have been 10X that.

We had a program similar to this ... right around the holidays. DW & I had just purchased a Windows 7 laptop, so we didn't need it. But it was a great gift for the MIL.

My employer also offers a steep discount on gym memberships at a national fitness chain.

[am_vanquish]

Also don't forget about donation/charity matching policies. Our company matches up to $1,000 of your charitable donations to any eligible organization. The match alone was enough to setup up a complete scholarship at the school we donate to every year.

[creditcardfree]

It does still pay to compare the discount. There are lots of "military" discounts out there, but occassionally, the discount is not a true discount when compared to other sites. Dell, for example, has a military website, but when we compared computers, the traditional site was a far better deal.

We do get a discount on our Verizon bill, 15% I think. Lowe's gives all military a 10% discount with ID.

[elessar78]

Cell phone is a biggie. 13% off our bill. Plus through our local chamber of commerce various stuff like car rentals and storage facilities.

[cashqueen]

After reading this thread I went to my cell phone provider's site and learned I'm eligible for a 15% discount. Too bad I didn't know it 2 years ago when I started. Thanks!

[disneysteve]

Too bad I didn't know it 2 years ago when I started. Thanks!

That's exactly what I said. She's worked there for 2-1/2 years.

[tripods68]

We usually buy our tickets Great America and Legoland through my Union which gets deep discount. It really gives you a nice savings!

[Mike75]

Companies are cutting off

Many huge companies have stopped giving discounts and other such luxuries to their employees. You guys are lucky that you still have them.

[mom-from-missouri]

since we are volunteers with the fire dept, we get a savings on our cell bill. we learned by accident if we go out to eat in uniform, we get 50% off at some of area restaurants (I can't say at our local as we have none local anymore)