By Jason Alderman

We all love a good bargain, no matter what our age. But if you're a senior citizen on a fixed income, finding discounted goods and services can mean the difference between making ends meet and going without.

The good news is that tons of senior discounts are available - often for people as young as 50. One caveat right up front: Although many senior discounts are substantial, you sometimes can find better bargains - especially on travel-related expenses like airfare, hotels and rental cars. So always do your research first before requesting the senior rate.

Here's a roundup of some of the best senior discounts I've found:

An AARP membership costs only $16 a year for anyone over age 50, including free membership for spouses or partners (www.aarp.org). AARP's discounts website features discounts on dozens of products and services including rental cars, hotels, restaurants, clothing and department store chains. AARP also offers an inexpensive driver safety course for drivers over 50 (members and nonmembers alike) that can lower auto insurance premiums by up to 10 percent or more.

Popular AARP discounts include :

• 20 percent discount on installation or upgrades to ADT home security systems.
• 45 percent off membership to Angie's List.
• 20 percent off purchases from 1-800-FLOWERS.com.
• Up to 25 percent off car rentals from Avis and Budget.
• Up to 20 percent discount at many hotel chains including Hyatt, Hilton, Wyndham, Best Western, Days Inn and Ramada, among others.
• 10 to 20 percent off at many restaurant chains, including Claim Jumper, Denny's and Outback Steakhouse.
• 15 percent off many Geek Squad services from Best Buy.
• A free 45-minute consultation with an Allstate Legal Services Network attorney, as well as 20 percent off member attorneys' fees.

A quick Google search will uncover numerous other senior discount resources. One popular site is SeniorDiscounts.com, an online directory of more than 220,000 U.S. business locations that offer discounts to people over 50. Registration is free, although they also offer a $12.95/year premium that offers members-only discounts and other perks. Other good sites include Brad's Deals, Sciddy.com and Savvy Senior.

Other commonly available senior discounts include :

• A 15 percent discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains for travelers over age 62.
• Greyhound offers a 5 percent discount on unrestricted fares (over 62).
• Southwest Airlines offers senior fares (over 65). Although not necessarily their lowest available rates, Southwest's senior fares are fully refundable.
• The U.S. Geologic Survey senior pass (over 62) provides free lifetime access to more than 2,000 government-managed recreational sites (including national parks), as well as discounts on camping and other amenities. Senior passes cost $10 in person or $20 by mail (http://store.usgs.gov/pass/senior.html).
• Verizon Wireless offers discounted mobile phone service for subscribers over 65.
• Both Walgreens and Rite Aid offer monthly senior discount days for members of their rewards programs when most non-prescription items are 15 to 20 percent off. Ask your neighborhood pharmacy if they offer similar programs.

In addition, many restaurants, department stores, movie theaters, museums, theme parks, banks, credit card issuers, utilities (including gas and electric, water, garbage, telephone and cable) and other businesses offer special discounts or promotions for seniors. Always ask before your purchase is rung up.

Bottom line: Abundant resources are available to help seniors save money on purchases large and small. You just have to do a little research - and ask whether senior discounts are available. Remember, 10 percent here and 20 percent there can really add up.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today met with senior Army leaders, including General Dennis Via, Commanding General of Army Materiel Command which oversees Army arsenals, ammunition plans, and depots. Attendees also included Brigadier General John Wharton, Commanding General, Army Sustainment Command and Lieutenant General Patricia McQuistion, Deputy Commanding General, Army Material Command. They discussed the importance of maintaining a strong industrial base at the Rock Island Arsenal. The senior Army leaders joined a bipartisan group of Representatives at a breakfast meeting and discussion led by Loebsack and hosted by the House Military Depot, Arsenal, Ammunition Plant and Industrial Facilities Caucus. Loebsack, along with Congressman Walter Jones (NC-03), serve as Co-Chairmen of the Caucus.

Quinn Administration Helped Lead Application and Funded Key Components That Will Make Digital Hub Possible

WASHINGTON - Governor Pat Quinn today joined President Barack Obama to formally announce that Illinois had won a new digital manufacturing hub, supported by funding from state and federal governments and corporate partners. The hub will have a far-reaching impact on jobs across many industries and benefit small businesses across the nation. The White House announced a $70 million Department of Defense award for the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation (DMDI) Institute, which UI Labs will operate in Chicago. The support from President Obama, coupled with $16 million from the Quinn Administration, gives the institute the necessary funds to build partnerships with manufacturers and strengthen Illinois' economic comeback.

"Illinois is at the forefront of a high-tech manufacturing revolution that will make our state the center of high-tech job creation," Governor Quinn said. "This first-of-its-kind digital hub will make companies more competitive and stronger by providing them with the most cutting edge tools and technologies. It will be the birthplace for innovations that will change the world in which we live, work and play."

Earlier support from the Quinn Administration was essential to the launch of DMDI. In March 2013, Governor Quinn approved the investment of $60 million in Blue Waters at the University of Illinois, which provides the supercomputing power for this initiative. Blue Waters is the core of the DMDI, the key engine to generate new design, simulation and testing innovations. Blue Waters set Illinois' application apart from the other contenders for DMDI.

The Governor personally petitioned the Secretary of Defense twice and made the case to key White House officials about the benefits and importance of DMDI. The Governor brought key private sector partners into the initiative, including CAT, Deere & Company, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and many more.

Last December, the Governor joined UI Labs in announcing $5 million in state funding to support the Illinois Manufacturing Lab, a key first step in DMDI's development that helps small- to mid-sized manufacturers across the state.

Governor Quinn's administration - working with UI Labs and World Business Chicago - assembled the broad support for DMDI and directed the application for federal funding. Both the state and city of Chicago are expected to have representation on the initiative's governing board. The Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC) - a member-driven not-for-profit that serves as the state's technology advisor - also assisted with the proposal.

"We put together a powerful proposal that demonstrated DMDI's value to the federal government and to job creation throughout a broad region of the country," Adam Pollet, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity said. "We're going to change the face of American manufacturing and we're proud that our strategic investment in a public university is what set our application apart."

"The DMDI institute provides a strong platform to connect Illinois manufacturers with the newest digital tools and provide them the know-how to build things faster, better and cheaper than China and the rest of the world," Mark Harris, president and CEO of the ISTC said. "The vision of Governor Quinn and his leadership in connecting Illinois' world-class research, technology and manufacturing strengths around initiatives like the Illinois Manufacturing Lab were instrumental in positioning the state as the hub for this Presidential initiative."

The $320 million DMDI, with $70 million funding from the Department of Defense and $250 million from other public and private partners, will apply the newest technologies to help manufacturers try and use new innovations in digital manufacturing and design, with an emphasis on defense manufacturers. This will mean better products, faster production and lower costs for U.S. manufacturers. The $16 million state investment in DMDI includes the launch of the Illinois Manufacturing Lab, additional equipment and workforce training, and providing Illinois companies with the assistance they need to utilize the DMDI. The DMDI was made possible by a strong partnership between state, federal and city officials.