Most big-box stores begin offering senior discounts once you reach age 55. Taking advantage of these deals is a great way to stretch your retirement dollars further. Saving on groceries, household items, automotive parts, hotel stays, and more can be a big help as we move into our "fixed income" years. In this post, we'll look at big-box stores offering senior discounts and perks, ways to make the sign-up process easier, and tracking the savings you earn through memberships.

Getting a Digital ID for Age Verification

Many stores these days require you to sign up for a membership online. One of the ways to make this process easier is to get a digital ID through ID.me. This digital identity network allows you to verify your ID and age. It's free to sign up and totally secure. You can use it to manage and track your social security benefits, your online IRS account, veteran's benefits, and more.

You'll have to scan a picture of your driver's license with your smartphone to complete the process. Once you have a digital identity and wallet from ID.me, it makes it easier to sign up for some senior discount membership plans at stores. You can also find regular discounts from major stores regularly on the ID.me website for seniors and veterans.

Tracking Savings with Big-Box Memberships

While many big-box stores offer free memberships, some charge a monthly or annual fee. Tracking your savings when you use a paid membership is the best way to determine whether or not it's actually saving you money. If you don't shop at a store often enough, it might not be worth the price of the membership.

The best way to track your membership savings is by using a manual spreadsheet. Create columns for the following:

• Item name
• Original price
• Discount amount
• Final price
• Savings

Do this process for each store where you are paying for a monthly or annual membership plan. If you track savings at a store for one month, you can compare the savings total to the price of the membership to see whether it makes financial sense to keep it. You can multiply one month's savings by 12 to get an estimate of how much you would save with an annual plan. Don't forget to factor in transportation costs such as gas mileage or bus fare if you travel to a store as well. Fuel prices can dig into your savings if you have to travel out of your way to shop at a specific store.

Big-Box Deals and Discounts for Seniors

Sam's Club

A regular-priced membership for Sam's Club costs $50 per year. However, if you verify your senior status (55+) using ID.me, your membership will only cost $20 for the year -- a 60 percent savings on the membership itself. A basic membership to Sam's Club lets you access members-only prices on groceries and household items, early shopping hours, and a loyalty points program for even steeper discounts.

Walgreens

Walgreens has one Senior Day per month. Which day that is, such as the first Tuesday of the month, may vary based on where you live. You have to be a member of the myWalgreens rewards program, which is free. You get 20 percent off all regular-priced items on Senior Day.

Kohl's

Kohl's offers a 15 percent senior discount on clothing and household items every Wednesday. You have to be 60+ and show ID to qualify for the discount and no membership is required.

PetSmart

Seniors who are 65+ get regular discounts at PetSmart. The discounts include 10 percent off on pet items, overnight pet boarding, and grooming services one day a week (usually Tuesdays). Membership is free.

Pep Boys

If you're a DIY mechanic, Pep Boys offers a 10-percent in-store discount on items for anyone 55+. No membership is required, you can just show your ID at the counter.

Costco

Costco does not have a senior membership level or specific senior discounts. However, there are some great perks that you can get for the $65-per-year membership fee. For starters, you can get 10 cents per gallon off gas. For many people, this pays for the membership itself over the year. Costco offers lower prices on bulk items, which can make it easier to cut down your monthly grocery bill. You can also get up to 80 percent off on prescriptions when you join Costco's Member Prescription Program.

Walmart+

There's no senior discount for a Walmart+ membership, but seniors can take advantage of many perks if they pay for this one. It's currently $12.95 per month or $98 for an annual membership. The nice thing is that Walmart will let you try a free one-month membership, to see if you like it. Perks of membership include free same-day grocery delivery on purchases of $35 or more, 10 cents per gallon off gas, and more.

Many additional big-box stores offer senior discounts if you just ask at the checkout counter. Most places that offer senior discounts have a minimum age of 55 or higher to qualify.