Retirement frugality warning…Are you being too stingy with your savings?
Join Golden Years Bliss as we dive into the world of golden years planning with intelligent spending. We’re about to explore a crucial topic known as retirement frugality warnings.
What does this mean? Imagine working hard all your life and diligently saving, and now it’s time to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But wait! Are you being TOO frugal?
In this eye-opening article, we’ll uncover the biggest telltale signs that might indicate you’re tightening that belt a bit too much. Don’t worry, though! We’re not here to rain on your retirement parade.
We wish to help you strike that perfect balance between living well and saving smart. So grab a comfy seat, and let’s embark on this journey to financial freedom together. Our 12 retirement frugality warnings await… and trust us, you won’t want to miss it!
Retirement frugality warning sign: You’re following the 4% rule too rigidly
There’s a standard spending formula in which you draw down 4% of your retirement savings during the first year of retirement. In the following few years, you adjust the portion you withdraw to reflect inflation.
That strategy increases the odds of staying afloat about 30 years of retirement. However, according to experts, this strategy only works for some and could cause you to leave too much money on the table during retirement.
First, the 4% rule presumes that spending each year will rise according to the inflation rate and believes that spending is constant from one year to the next. That tends to be different, with expenses changing even yearly and throughout the golden years.
When you first enter retirement, you might spend a lot. But your spending could drop as you age. So experts say that this rule is a fine place to start, but it doesn’t always line up. Your spending rate has to be flexible, personalized, and updated each year.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You reuse tea bags
Anyone who’s ever had a cold has probably reused a tea bag that was left perched on a sink. You’ll be forgiven for not wanting to toss it out and making yourself a second cup.
Even though tea bags can be reused, there are a few rules to follow because once they dry out, they become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria. And let’s be honest…tea bags aren’t all that expensive to begin with.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You refuse to pay for any form of exercise
No one likes feeling guilty for never using an expensive gym membership. But those who refuse to invest in any type of exercise program might want to broaden their horizons a bit.
Pay-as-you-go options, virtual classes, and community programs offer frugal ways to stay in shape and socialize with others in your community.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You try ill-advised home maintenance and repairs
Many of our home maintenance and repair projects are better off left to the professionals. You might be able to rake your own leaves rather than paying for expensive lawn service.
You can even assemble a small shelving unit on your own. But reconsider straining your heart shoveling a long driveway, climbing a ladder to clean your overflowing gutters, and particularly anything electrical and beyond.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You don’t offer invitations… but never refuse one either
You don’t want to be the type of person who always says “yes” to an invitation but saves a couple of bucks by never returning the favor. Many folks extend invitations simply out of kindness.
Others do it to build a network or community, especially when new to an area. You don’t have to “repay” a kindness. But even a small gesture, like an invite to sweets and coffee if you’d rather not host an entire dinner party, is thoughtful.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You NEVER go to a professional for a haircut
If the pandemic lockdowns taught us anything, most of us don’t have the talent to replicate the work of a skilled hairdresser or barber. You don’t have to get your hair done at the most expensive salon in town or hipster barber shop that just opened up.
But please, unless you actually have the skills, treat yourself to a haircut created and maintained by a professional once in a while.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You deal with pain in your own way
Are you experiencing back pain? Or maybe you’re still nursing your ankle after a recent fall. There’s a difference between being a hypochondriac and taking care of yourself when required.
That “tough it out” old-school mentality, connected with “I don’t need to pay for a doctor to tell me it’s nothing,” can be detrimental. So, even though health bills can get pricey, this isn’t something you should skimp on!
Retirement frugality warning sign: You’re not willing to pay for a movie ticket
We’re sure your grandkids would love an outing to the movies as an activity to spend some time with you.
And even if you don’t have any kiddos, catching “Titanic” again on TV with microwave popcorn will definitely save you money, but it’s not the same thing. So maybe just treat yourself every once in a while!
Retirement frugality warning sign: You never eat at a restaurant
Some people never even turn on their stove, choosing to dine out or live on a diet of delivery and takeout. While dining out frequently costs more than eating at home, it shouldn’t be banned entirely.
If you avoid eating out just to save money, and when you do, stiff the waitstaff with a minor tip, you might need to rethink your strategy. Dining out is about more than just the meals. It’s your chance to be social and try new things sometimes.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You refuse to have people stay over
Some folks aren’t comfortable hosting others. And we get it. But if the reason is expense, things like extra laundry loads, meals, and so on, then you’ve been missing the point of hospitality.
Most try to be well-behaved visitors, usually arriving with gifts and offers to pay for meals out. Plus, don’t you want to socialize more in retirement?
Retirement frugality warning sign: You NEVER buy any new clothes
A new sweater for the changing season or a dress for a special occasion is a small splurge that can render a little happiness boost. We’re not advocating impulse buying.
But if you’re someone who rotates out the same pieces of clothing year after year, there might be a bit of an issue. If you wear classics and keep them in excellent shape, that’s great. It even helps the environment.
But don’t wear outdated or shabby clothes and shoes with worn-out heels just to save a few extra bucks. You’re not doing yourself any favors.
Retirement frugality warning sign: You’re neglecting routine car maintenance
There’s something to be said for avoiding extra car ownership costs. But if you’re driving with faulty windshield wipers, a broken taillight, or bald tires, it becomes a safety hazard or can lead to more significant concerns, like when you push the limit on miles between oil changes.
In the long run, it might cost more if you neglect some things.
We hope you found this article useful. Please be sure to share your thoughts on the matter in the comments below. And if you liked this post, we highly recommend also reading: Seniors Beware: 9 Important Preventive Care Tests You MUST Get After 50
