Eliminating these expenses means substantial savings in retirement.
Lower your expenses.
Many retirees are tempted to spend more money on leisure activities in retirement. Health care costs also tend to increase as people age. But there are many costs that decline in retirement, and a few you can eliminate entirely. Here are some expenses you will no longer have in retirement.
Mortgage
Paying off your mortgage eliminates one of your biggest monthly bills. You no longer need to make interest payments to a lender or worry about late fees. While you will still have to pay for insurance and property taxes and continue to maintain your home, these costs are likely to be a fraction of what you were paying for your mortgage. Keeping your housing costs low will help your fixed income stretch further. There’s also a big emotional payoff when you own your home mortgage-free.
Commuting costs
Gas for your car or train fare is a big expense for employees with long daily commutes to work. Commuting also puts a lot of wear on your car that could necessitate more frequent repairs and maintenance or even a new vehicle. In retirement, all your driving is for personal errands or pleasure. When you drive less often, you may also be eligible for a lower rate on your auto insurance. Some retirees are even able to completely avoid traffic by skipping outings during peak travel times.
A second car
Dual-income married couples often need two cars to get to their respective jobs. If you’re willing to coordinate your respective schedules, you might be able to get by with one car in retirement. Retired couples who share a car will also reduce insurance and car maintenance costs. When you sell a second car, you can add the proceeds to your retirement savings or put some of the money toward occasional taxi or ride-share services when you need to be in different places at the same time.
Professional clothing
Some jobs require expensive professional attire, stylish haircuts and makeup, and formal clothing for special events. Dry cleaning and professional tailoring cost even more. Retirees get to trade in their suits for jeans and don’t have to keep up with the latest fashion trends unless they want to.
Time-saving costs
Time-strapped working people often spend money to save time. This might mean buying expensive convenience food because you don’t have time to cook and outsourcing household chores so you don’t have to spend your weekends doing them. Retirees can invest their time to save money by comparison shopping for good deals and taking on the home improvement chores they used to pay someone else to do. Cutting your own grass and cooking at home takes time but could save you money.
Office costs
Being involved in office social life comes with some costs. You might pay for lunch out with coworkers, chip in for gifts for colleagues or get drawn into the office pool. These costs are often a necessary part of team building with coworkers, but retirees don’t have to pay them. Retirees don’t need to go out for an overpriced coffee to welcome a new colleague or a round of drinks at happy hour to commemorate a coworker’s departure. You can shift your spending to gatherings with close friends you enjoy spending time with.
Paying full price
One of the major benefits of growing older is qualifying for senior discounts. The senior discounts available for travel, hotels and car rentals are well-known. But you may also qualify for discounts at restaurants, retail stores and even grocery stores. Not all senior discounts are advertised. Sometimes you have to ask, and be prepared to show ID. Some senior discounts are available to those as young as age 50, while other discounts require you to be at least age 65 or another age.
Peak travel costs
Many working people cram their travel plans into long weekends and national holidays, and parents tend to vacation during school breaks. Airlines and hotels know this and set prices accordingly. Retirees can travel during weekdays and off-peak seasons, when the prices are lower and the crowds are smaller. Some retirees aim to travel during the shoulder season, which can result in pleasant weather and reduced fares. Retirees with a flexible schedule may also be able to take advantage of last-minute deals.
Unnecessary fees
Take the time to review your investment portfolio, with the goal of reducing your investment costs. Make a note of the expense ratio of each fund, and challenge yourself to find a lower-cost fund that meets your investment needs. Take care to learn the rules for taking penalty-free retirement account withdrawals. You could be retired for several decades. Don’t allow your investment returns to be dragged down by unnecessary costs.
A high tax rate
Many people drop into a lower tax bracket in retirement. There are tax breaks specifically for people age 65 and older, including a bigger standard deduction. Some jurisdictions also have property tax breaks for older homeowners. Take steps to further reduce your taxes by carefully timing retirement account withdrawals. Retirees who continue to work can defer paying income tax on more money in a 401(k) than younger employees. Charitably inclined retirees can avoid income tax on IRA required minimum distributions by making a qualified charitable distribution.
Expenses You Can Eliminate in Retirement
- Mortgage.
- Commuting costs.
- A second car.
- Professional clothing.
- Time-saving costs.
- Office costs.
- Paying full price.
- Peak travel costs.
- Unnecessary fees.
- A high tax rate.
Expenses You Can Eliminate in Retirement
Eliminating these expenses means substantial savings in retirement.