Many retirees in America have planned their expenses meticulously, mapping out health care costs, housing and travel with precision. But what if trimming just a few everyday expenses could stretch your retirement dollars further, boost monthly cash flow or even add extra years of financial freedom?
In retirement, every little bit helps. With that in mind, here are the top seven things U.S. retirees should stop buying or spending money on to improve their financial freedom.
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1. Cars
It’s easy to justify a new car purchase every decade or so when you’re commuting to work or dropping the kids off at school, but your retirement probably involves a lot less traveling than your working days.
Your golden years are the perfect opportunity to cut back on one of the biggest financial drains for most Americans: vehicles. That’s not to say you need to abandon your car entirely and switch to public transport, but getting rid of your second vehicle — or buying a relatively modest, cheap used-car instead of something brand new — could be justified in retirement.
You could also switch to ride sharing apps or weekend rentals to minimize your transportation costs. Every dollar saved on parking, maintenance, taxes and insurance could be used to fund your lifestyle instead.
2. High-maintenance items
Retirement is the perfect opportunity to downsize your lifestyle and structure your spending to focus only on the things you need or enjoy the most. That means you could downsize your home and move into a smaller unit to save on the maintenance costs or property taxes. You could also decide to let go of that recreational vehicle, or that boat on your driveway that may be chewing into your monthly budget.
To be fair, retirement is also about enjoying your life, so you don’t need to cut every luxury indulgence. But if there’s something you find yourself less attached to, maybe this is the time to let it go.
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3. Vacation homes or time shares
The sudden spike in mortgage interest rates is making vacation homes and cottages less affordable. According to Redfin, demand for vacation homes dropped to a six-year low in 2024, with the average second home now costing $495,000.
Selling your second property could unlock a lot of equity that can be added to your stock or bonds portfolio to boost monthly cash flow.
4. Helping your children financially
A recent report from Savings.com found that roughly half of Americans with adult children continue to provide them with regular financial support. On average, these young adults receive $1,474 per month, with Gen Z expected to get $1,813 and millennials about $863 per month in 2025.
If you’re part of this cohort, it could be a good idea to have a conversation with your children to see if you can steadily cut back on the financial assistance. Minimizing this cost can go a long way to securing your retirement or enhancing your financial security.
5. Being over-insured
Retirement is a good time to re-evaluate your insurance policies to see if you can save some money. As a senior, monthly premiums for insurance policies are likely to be higher given your age. Speak to a financial adviser to see if you’re over-insured and if you can cut some of your monthly premiums.
6. Unnecessary subscriptions
It’s easy to ignore a lifetime of subscription accumulation. As a retiree, it could be a good idea to review all your monthly subscriptions and see if you really need those streaming services, weekly magazines or meal kit delivery services.
7. Luxury travel and experiences
Your retirement is the perfect time to indulge in travel and luxury experiences, but overindulging could be stretching your budget when you get back home to your regular life.
Consider traveling only during off-seasons or look for special deals to lower the cost of that annual vacation. Cutting back on spa visits and luxury cruises could also help you add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to your budget.
What to read next
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- How much cash do you plan to keep on hand after you retire? Here are 3 of the biggest reasons you’ll need a substantial stash of savings in retirement
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
