Make the most of your hobbies with these pensioner discounts

Retirement offers something many of us spend our working lives longing for: time. Time to slow down, to rediscover old interests, or to finally try hobbies that were once pushed aside by work and family commitments.

Hobbies are not just a way to pass the time. For pensioners, they play an important role in staying mentally active, physically mobile, socially connected — and happy. The good news is that many hobbies can also be enjoyed more affordably, thanks to pensioner discounts offered by businesses across South Africa.

In this article, we look at three popular retirement hobbies — gardening, knitting and DIY — and how pensioner discounts can help you make the most of them.

Why hobbies matter in retirement

Hobbies give structure and meaning to days that are no longer governed by work schedules. Research consistently shows that retirees who remain engaged in hobbies experience better mental wellbeing, lower levels of loneliness and a stronger sense of purpose.

A hobby is not about “keeping busy”. It is about:

• Staying curious

• Using skills built over a lifetime

• Creating something tangible

• Finding joy in everyday moments

As the saying goes: “You don’t stop doing things because you get old — you get old because you stop doing things.”

Gardening: growing wellbeing (and savings)

Gardening is one of the most popular hobbies among South African pensioners — and for good reason. It is gentle on the body, deeply satisfying, and endlessly rewarding.

Benefits of gardening for pensioners

• Provides low-impact physical exercise

• Improves balance, flexibility and mobility

• Reduces stress and anxiety

• Encourages time outdoors and vitamin D exposure

Many retirees also grow vegetables and herbs, helping to supplement household budgets while enjoying fresher, healthier produce. Gardening teaches patience and presence.

You do not need a back garden to enjoy gardening as you can pursue this hobby with indoor plants and potted vegetables or herbs in your kitchen window. Many nurseries around the country offer an opportunity to enjoy walking amongst lovely plants and to enjoy outdoor features without having to spend any money, whilst finding inspiration for your own garden.

Pensioner gardening discounts

Across South Africa, many garden centres and nurseries offer pensioner discount days, often mid-week. We have found the following pensioner discounts on offer to support your gardening hobby:

Western Cape

1) Harry Goemans Garden Centre (Sunnydale): Pensioners get 10% off every Thursday on a wide selection of items.

2) Noordhoek Cape Dutch Gardens (Noordhoek): Every Thursday, enjoy 10% off selected plants.

3) Cape Garden Centre (Kraaifontein): Pensioners enjoy 10% off purchases every Monday and Wednesday. (Ts & Cs apply)

4) Cape Garden Centre (Stellenbosch): Pensioners enjoy a 10% discount on Mondays and Wednesdays (Ts & Cs apply).

5) Cape Garden Centre (Somerset West): Pensioners enjoy a 10% discount on Mondays and Wednesdays (Ts & Cs apply).

6) Cape Garden Centre (George): Pensioners enjoy a 10% discount on Mondays and Wednesdays (Ts & Cs apply).

7) Starke Ayres Garden Centre (Rosebank, Cape Town): Enjoy a 10% pensioners discount every Monday.

8) Starke Ayres Garden Centre (Sunningdale): Enjoy a 10% pensioners discount every Wednesday.

Gauteng

1) Tuingenoot Nursery (Centurion): Pensioners enjoy 10% off selected plants on a Wednesday.

2) Garden Mecca (Pretoria): Get 10% off your purchase every Wednesday (Ts & Cs apply).

KwaZulu Natal

1) Berry's Garden & Outdoor (Durban): Every Wednesday pensioners enjoy 10% off all spares and 5% off new machines (Ts & Cs apply).

Eastern Cape

1) Floradale Nurseries (East London): 10% discount for pensioners on a Tuesday.

2) Floradale Nurseries (Gqeberha): Pensioners aged 60 and above enjoy 10% discount on a Tuesday.

Knitting, crochet and wool crafts: calm hands, busy minds

Knitting, crochet and needlework are more than creative pastimes — they are proven tools for relaxation and mental health.

Why wool crafts are ideal retirement hobbies

• Repetitive hand movements can be calming and meditative

• Improve focus and concentration

• Help reduce anxiety and stress

• Keep hands agile and minds engaged

Many pensioners knit for practical reasons — making jerseys, blankets and gifts for family — while others knit for charity or even small side incomes.

Pensioner discounts on wool

We have found the following pensioner discounts on offer to support your knitting hobby (these stores also offer online shopping and shipping):

1) My Wool Affair (Potchefstroom): Enjoy 10% discount every Wednesday.

2) My Wool Affair (Parys): Enjoy 10% off your purchase on a Wednesday.

DIY and hardware hobbies: experience that pays off

DIY does not retire when you do. For many pensioners, hands-on projects provide a sense of independence, confidence and creativity.

Why DIY is popular among retirees

• Helps manage home maintenance on a fixed income

• Encourages problem-solving and creativity

• Maintains hand-eye coordination

• Allows skills to be passed on to younger generations

Whether it’s woodworking, small repairs, painting or garden projects, DIY offers deep satisfaction. There is something powerful about fixing or building something with your own hands. It may even lead to an additional source of income.

Pensioner discounts to support your DIY hobby

These deals apply to all stores nationwide.

1) Makro - Pensioners discount card allows pensioners to claim 10% off general merchandise.

2) Builders Warehouse - Over 60s get 10% off selected products when shopping on a Wednesday.

3) BUCO - Every Wednesday customers aged 60 and above get up to 10% off selected items. (Ts & Cs apply)

Making hobbies affordable on a pension

Living on a pension often means careful budgeting, but hobbies should never be seen as unnecessary luxuries. They are a vital part of healthy ageing.

Pensioner discounts help retirees to:

• Continue hobbies without financial pressure

• Buy better quality materials

• Explore new interests affordably

A well-spent pension is one that still leaves room for joy. At pensionerspayless.co.za, we are committed to helping pensioners across South Africa discover discounts that make everyday pleasures more affordable.

All the best

Lirette

Co-founder, PensionersPayLess!

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Lirette is a co-founder of PensionersPayLess! and the heart behind its mission to help South Africa's over-55s enjoy life to the fullest. Backed by a Doctorate of Law and two master’s degrees, she combines legal know-how with a passion for practical advice. Lirette writes about topics that she believes will appeal to a wide audience and which mostly relate back to her personal experiences, be it making plans for retirement with her parents, balancing a household budget or enjoying a good meal or holiday.