Ask to receive discount

Some shoppers are so busy looking for big discounts that they miss the ones that are right under their noses.

Take the AAA card that many people carry in their wallets. The card can get you 10 percent off most Target online purchases at AAA.com/target, and 20 percent off Best Buy services, such as for home theaters and auto electronics. It provides many other discounts.

Consumers can get hundreds of discounts based on age or place of employment, but often they forget to take advantage of them. Worse yet, they might not know they are available.

Start by looking at the organizations to which you belong. Membership in one museum or zoo might get you free admission to similar venues. Colleges often offer deals and discounts to alumni.

Speak up, seniors

Senior citizen discounts are well known. Some businesses offer senior discount days.

For example, every Tuesday, Kroger offers a 5 percent discount to anyone 55 and older.

Also on Tuesdays, Kerr Drug offers a 10 percent discount on most items to shoppers who are at least 60 years old. The company also offers a mail-in rebate on products such as adult diapers, canes and bed rails. Smart seniors can go to Kerr Drug on a Tuesday, get the discount and mail in receipts to get a rebate check that ranges from $1 to $20, spokeswoman Diane Eliezer said.

People in their mid-50s often don't view themselves as senior citizens and forget to ask about discounts, forgoing savings on banking services, Southwest Airline tickets and auto insurance. There are dozens of Web sites that specialize in identifying seniors discounts, including seniorliving.about.com, www.seniordiscounts.com and seniorjournal.com/Discounts.htm.

Students are eligible for a lot of discounts, and workers who return to school part time can use their student ID card for reduced prices on airfare, computers, software, hotel rooms and, of course, movie tickets.

Check with your employer, too. Large corporations often negotiate great deals with companies on behalf of their employees.

Progress Energy, for instance, has arranged deals with some of its suppliers, spokesman David McNeill said. Discounts are available from Lenovo for desktop computers and accessories, and from Ford, GM, Alltel, Cingular, Sprint, Biltmore Estates, and Universal Studios.

Military personnel also get a break from many businesses. Military.com lists retailers and restaurants that offer savings to those who serve their country. Recent deals include $150 off the AT&T BlackBerry Curve and a free Bluetooth headset.

Teachers are commonly offered discounts on supplies and books. But they can also get discounts on vacation packages and rental cars.

Several apartment complexes offer discounts to police officers and teachers.

The key to getting many of these deals is to ask for them.

Think of it as a way to offset rising gas prices.

If you save $10 on a Target online purchase with an AAA membership card, then that $50 hit at the gas pump might not hurt so much.