Government jobs might be more stable than most, but that doesn t mean federal employees aren t watch

Government jobs might be more stable than most, but that doesn t mean federal employees aren t watching their pocketbooks. Luckily, one of the perks of being a government worker is that there are many companies eager to thank public servants by offering them deals on everything from Caribbean vacations to iPods.
The following is a sampling of just some of the discounts available to federal employees, retirees and military members. We plan to update it regularly with your suggestions, so check back often for new additions. E-mail us at agruber@govexec.com if you come across discounts or freebies you d like to share.
A word to the wise as you browse our directory: A number of sites will ask you to enter your government e-mail address hotel accommodation in paris to find out if you qualify for discounts. But one reader warns us that if you do so, you should be prepared for an onslaught of unsolicited e-mails.
Auto parts : The Kragen Auto Parts chain will knock 5 percent to 10 percent off your purchase hotel accommodation in paris if you have a military ID, one reader says. AutoZone offers military discounts as well, according to another reader, hotel accommodation in paris and Advance Auto Parts gives active and retired military members 10 percent off. R1Concepts.com offers 10 percent off brake pads and brake rotors to military personnel hotel accommodation in paris when you call in to order. Go-Part.com will give federal employees 15 percent off on all items; to take advantage of this promotion, enter FED15PERK on the website or call 1-877-321-PART and mention the discount to the operator.
Auto service: American Auto Assurance offers government employees and active and retired military members discounts on fully insured vehicle protection plans. Click here for a quote. The company also offers first-time callers $500 off fully-insured, A-rated vehicle service contracts (extended auto warranties). Call (877) 214-0335 with discount code AAA1Gov to obtain the deal, but note you must sign up for a plan on your first call to qualify.
hotel accommodation in paris Cars : One reader tells us Volkswagen hotel accommodation in paris offers military/civil servant discounts on new cars. Hyundai offers active and retired military members a $500 discount on new cars, another reader hotel accommodation in paris says. And active and reserve military members can get discounts on new Infiniti or Nissan vehicles, according hotel accommodation in paris to another. The p urchase price will be with a fixed discount at or below dealer invoice, the reader said, and the deal requires proof of active service.
Child care : NannyPro.com , an online resource for parents seeking nannies or babysitters, offers federal employees 30 percent off family memberships. To claim the discount, visit the company s website and use the coupon code Fedsave at checkout. Sittercity.com , a website that offers babysitting, housesitting, petsitting, and other services such as housekeeping, has free registration for military members, according hotel accommodation in paris to one reader. Service providers have gone through background and criminal checks, and the site is an ideal way for military families to find reliable childcare hotel accommodation in paris in a new area, the reader says.
Clothing, shoes and accessories : Nautica and New York and Co. give discounts of 10 percent or more to customers with military IDs, and Old Navy gives a 10 percent discount on the first of the month, readers say. Aeropostale also offers 10 percent off, according to one tipster, hotel accommodation in paris as does Lucky Brand . Footlocker and its affiliates offer a 20 percent discount to active, reserve and retired military personnel who present their identification card, a reader says. Payless Shoes gives military families hotel accommodation in paris 10 percent off, another reader tells us. American hotel accommodation in paris Eagle stores offer military families a 20 percent discount, according to one tipster.
Eye care . Group Health Eye Care offers federal hotel accommodation in paris employees, military members and retirees a 20 percent discount on prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses, and a one-time 20 percent discount on contact lenses. Membership is not required. MilitaryContacts.net offers contact lenses to military members and their families at prices hotel accommodation in paris as much as 30 percent lower than other retailers, according to its website. And Buy More Contacts offers 5 percent off when government employees spend $100 or more, and free shipping.
Food : IHOP , Denny s and Long John Silver s give military members 10 percent off, readers tell us, though one notes the IHOP offer is not available at all locations. One reader noted that Applebee s gives discounts hotel accommodation in paris of 15 percent, and one said T.G.I. Friday s offers a 10 percent discount. The Hard Rock Cafe offers military members discounts of 10 percent or more.
Gift baskets and flowers : GiftTree.com offers military members 15 percent off on most gift baskets, flowers and other merchandise. According to the company, To access the discount, simply visit our website and enter the promotion code MILITARY67 at checkout. Wine Country Gift Baskets is giving military members 5 percent off baskets, hotel accommodation in paris flowers and fresh baked goods. Enter the catalog code Military at checkout. Silk Plants Direct gives federal employees and military members 10 percent off online purchases, if you mention your employer at checkout. Gift Basket Villas offers federal hotel accommodation in paris employees a 10 percent discount with the code FED10.
Government Employees Marketplace : A free service that offers members exclusive discounts on everything from pet health insurance to rental cars, and aggregates information on thousands of other deals.
Home improvement : Readers tell us Lowes and The Home Depot give military members and retirees 10 percent off at most locations, but the discount isn t always advertised so be sure to ask about it if no information is readily available. Also, be sure to carry your military ID. Menards gives shoppers with a military ID or VA identification card 10 percent off, according to one tipster, but the policy seems to vary from store to store because another reader said a branch in Wisconsin denied him a military discount. Long Fence and Home offers deals to federal employees and military members -- employees should contact the company to get an estimate of how much the discount would be.
Home security : Absolute Security of America hotel accommodation in paris - Your Local ADT Authorized Dealer provides government employees a special offer on home security. Employees should click here or contact the company hotel accommodation in paris at 1.866.792.3595 to find out more.
Insurance : Federal employees receive 3 percent to 10 percent off on automobile insurance at Geico , depending on the state. Readers tell us they ve found insurance deals at Liberty Mutual as well. And Capitol Benefits of Gaithersburg, Md., has partnered with Travelers to offer federal employees in the Washington area a break on home, auto, renters, boat and umbrella insurance.
Movers : Transit Systems Inc. offers discounts on moving hotel accommodation in paris and shipping services. Use the discount code GOV611 to obtain the deal. And if you prefer to do it yourself, a reader with a military background tells us he was able to get 10 percent off on a moving truck from Penske .
Superior Nut Co. : This Cambridge, Mass.-based specialty food provider offers hotel accommodation in paris military members a 10 percent discount on orders through its website, one reader tells us. The coupon code is military, and according to our tipster, there is no minimum order or expiration date.
Government Employees Travel Opportunities : This program, sponsored by Resort hotel accommodation in paris Condominiums International, offers discount rentals at condominium timeshare resorts and vacation hotel accommodation in paris villas worldwide. The catch is that the discounts often are available only in the off-season or on short notice.
National Parks : Active-duty military service members and their families can visit national parks and wildlife refuges for free, under a new program . Show your military identification card at agency fee stations nationwide to obtain a free America the Beautiful hotel accommodation in paris National Parks and Federal hotel accommodation in paris Recreational Lands Pass. Other discounts are available to veterans.
SatoVacations : Offers discounted vacation packages hotel accommodation in paris and leisure travel services hotel accommodation in paris for government workers and military members. The company specializes in tours and cruises but also provides air, car, rail, and hotel accommodations and tickets to local attractions, according hotel accommodation in paris to a marketing manager. Feds based in Europe can click here .
Apple : Offers discounts on iPods, computers and other equipment for personal use, through its Store for Government. One reader reported Apple seemed to have discontinued the discount as of December 2011.
Gyms: The Energy Club, and Arlington, Va., based gym, is offering hotel accommodation in paris furloughed feds the chance to workout for free . Feds who take advantage of the offer will qualify for discounted memberships once furloughs are over.