For many, the end of the year is a time of reflection and nostalgia. It’s also a time to set yourself up with some sweet annual passes and memberships that could help you save money.
We narrowed down seven useful passes, perks, and memberships that you can buy or sign up for each year. Whether you’re downloading a fast-food app or splurging on a parks pass, rest assured that you’re making a truly great investment.
1. America The Beautiful Annual Pass
If you’re on the hunt for a great gift for the outdoorsy person in your family or friends circle, the America the Beautiful Annual Pass (currently priced at $80, as long as you purchase it by December 31st, 2024) covers all the bases. This pass allows access to all national parks, national forests, and Bureau of Land Management areas in the United States.
Translation? You’ll be able to get into any federally managed park or wilderness area with one pass. It’s also worth noting that there’s free lifetime access to these areas for both veterans and disabled folks.
2. Libby App and Library Cards
Whether you sign up for a free library app like Libby or simply set yourself up with a working library card from your local library, both are the gift that keep on giving. Library memberships now go far beyond renting just books.
Some libraries allow card holders to rent toys, movies, computers, and more. So don’t waste any more time debating whether or not a library card or app could be a good investment — we’re here to tell you it most certainly is.
3. AAA Membership
Are you able to change a tire by yourself? Perhaps in the pitch black dark? While it’s raining, sleeting, or snowing?
If not, this alone could make a AAA membership worth it. Just make sure that you do your proper due diligence to determine which plan will adequately cover your needs. If you have a vintage vehicle, a AAA membership could be especially worthwhile, as older cars are more prone to breaking down.
4. Gym Membership
If improving your fitness level is one of your 2024 resolutions, you’d be wise to lock in an annual membership deal at a national — or even global — gym chain.
Being able to enjoy results from consistent gym workouts is well worth the investment. As the year draws to a close, some bigger chains tend to offer specials and deals on memberships — a boon for anyone trying to reach their fitness goals.
Related: Frugal Fitness: How to Snag a Cheap Gym Membership
5. Sam’s Club or Costco Membership
Costco and Sam’s Club are both beacons of reasonably priced food, furniture, electronics, and more — a welcome relief for consumers as inflation continues to put a strain on wallets. Even if you’re just stopping by for lunch or a snack, it’s a profound relief to know that at least Costco’s food court holds it down with reasonable enough prices. So consider gifting yourself or a loved one a membership to Costco or Sam’s Club. It could go a long way.
Related: Costco Membership Prices: How Much Does a Costco Membership Cost?
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6. McDonald’s App
The McDonald’s app — and most fast-food apps, really — is consistently dishing out all kinds of ways to get free food. If you haven’t heard about free McDonald’s fries via the app, available every Friday, then welcome to the bright and sunny side of life where the arches are always golden. And with the bonus points system within the McDonald’s app, you can basically reward yourself with points every time you purchase something from McDonald’s.
7. Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is a no-brainer when it comes to truly looking after your future self. This world’s wild, and you never know what kind of disaster could strike at a moment’s notice. With renters insurance, you and your personal property are covered against issues like theft, fires, vandalism, windstorms, and more.
One thing to keep in mind: There are far too many customers that miss out on thousands of dollars because they forget to claim the small things like picture frames, plateware, etc. The whole setup in your home can really add up. So take a video (and a backup video!) that clearly captures all the miscellaneous items you have lying around your home.
