Thursday, June 21, 2007

AARP ... not just another acronym

An AARP invitation came through the mail the other day. It's not the first one I've received. All right, it's about the fifth one these folks have sent me. I don't know why they keep bugging me to join their group. I don't feel old. I'm not ready for retirement. In fact, I'm working on my career as a writer. I certainly don't want people thinking I'm old! Oops, too late.

But what's different this year is I actually read the letter. And that scared me. I found what they had to say intriguing. It was the bit about buying shoes cheaper. I like shoes. I like shoes a lot. The little blurb caught my eye ... number tweny-one: AARP members get special prices from many companies. #21. Save on shoes, gifts, videos, other products.

So now the dilemma haunts me. Should I join just to get a discount on shoes from some remote shoe company I probably haven't heard of? Or, do I go about pretending I didn't see the blurb about the cheap purchase of shoes?

My fantasy is already running amok. I have more important things to fill my mind except I keep coming back to infinite possibilities of traveling to remote places at discount prices in my vampy shoes also purchased at a lowered rate for AARP members only.

I've never really been a big fan of exclusive clubs or memberships. I've always participated in the national clubs. I was charter president of our local women's organization that was a national recognized organization - way back in the day. And from there I went on to serve on the state level for five years. It was a blast and talk about fun shoes ... well, let's just day I don't have bunyons for no reason!

Yes, you might mention, AARP is a nationally recognized organization. Except it has the feel of an exclusive club, recognized by age and nothing much else. If I send in my $12.50 for a one year membership and membership kit does that mean I've accepted my old age? Yikes! That sounds ominous. Rather mature too, but still denial is much more fun.

So after scanning the other twenty some benefits they offer, I begin to understand they want to protect me and my aging money. Like I really believe that? And they are ready to confront my employers over age discrimination. They obviously don't realize where I work. I'm the youngest old person at my library. But AARP does offer free health guides, similar to the ones I just received from my doctor - who happens to think I'm not getting any younger either.

I still haven't forgotten the shoes. A woman put #21 in that brochure. Only a woman would understand the pull such a statement makes. Shame on her. Her tactics are under-handed and sneaky. And effective. I have my check book out ... I'm chicken to sign up on line ... there might be something about purses if I agree to a three year contract and I don't want to chance it.

Or do I?

Til next time ~

DL Larson

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I feel in my heart that Aarp is tarketing the wrong age group. When I was in my late 40's I happen to pick up an aarp magazine and after reading it I felt that my grandson , who in his teens at that time , would benefit from the money section I just read. Where was this magazine in my late 20's Now that I am in my 50's Walgreens gave me a free subscription. Ty Walgreens - day late dollar short?