Cheap Retirement

Do you need to live a cheap retirement lifestyle? At least, more frugal than your previous life?

Retirement is often one of those events in life that creeps up on you when you least expect it!  Sometimes you voluntarily retire, but then retirement hits you like a ton of bricks. Sometimes retirement is dumped on you, involuntarily, leaving you exhausted, and confused!

You always thought that this would be the Golden Years they speak about -- a retirement lifestyle that enables you to put your feet up, travel the world, sip Martinis and be a Pampered Belle (or Beau if you happen to wear trousers)!

Not so much...

Most retirees are relatively cheap.  Being cheap is part of the "retiree" culture. Even those who can afford more, are careful. After all, you are no longer earning money and what you have invested has to last the rest of your life. Right?

Cheap is Good… it’s Wholesome and it’s Eco Friendly, most important in these days.

Let’s take a short nap (very) which is essential for all successful cheap retirees and then figure this out.  Short Nap? Well you don’t want to miss the 2-for-1 at the Walmart this afternoon… Do You?

A HUGE suggestion for your monthly expenses:

Consider calling:

  • cable TV company
  • car insurances, possibly bundling home and car insurance for lower rates
  • home telephone
  • cell phone (bundle with family)
  • credit cards
  • what else?

Ok, now tell them you are retired, living on a fixed income now, and just can't afford their services. Advise that you are researching costs at other companies. Then ask if there is anything they can do to help you...

Does this sound crazy to you? Consider this:

  • A retired economics teacher calls one company each year asking for help... and usually gets a break. Beleive it or not, she even uses her "older woman" voice on the call... she told us that in her retirement planning class! Most of the time these companies want to work with her to keep her business!
  • An IT Director did the same with his car insurance. Every few years he switched companies, automatically. He knew he'd get a cheaper rate, and did it for his whole life... not just at retirement.
  • My brother-in-law and family had huge financial issues. They called a credit card company and offered about half to end the debt... accept it or possibly get nothing as we have big issues. They accepted the offer and closed the card. It is possible.

Hey, why not? 

Take Time, Ask Questions

LOOK at your bills...

  • Ask your telephone company what all the small charges are... maybe some are unnecessary?
  • Consider dumping your landline phone, as long as it’s not connected to your internet, and go totally with your cell phone!
  • Same with your cell phone bill... what exactly are you paying for?
  • What about your cable tv bill? Anything you can drop there?
  • Could you possibly increase the deductible on your car insurance for a lower monthly premium? (be sure you can afford the deductible IF an accident occurs)

Just THINK for a few moments about your bills and see where you might be able to cut back. Every penny counts towards making your monthly income go further!

One simple call can save you money, month after month!

Where else might you cut expenses?

  • Eating out? Consider lunch as your big meal out, much cheaper than eating out at dinner time.
  • Get coupons for Buy One/Get One Free dinners from local restaurants.
  • Watch for Buy One/Get One Free offers... if you use and need the product. If you don't, save your money.
  • Check your CVS drugstore card, swipe it on the way inside the store. I get coupons for the same product I've purchased there all the time.

The suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg, there are so many ways to save a few dollars every day. Just think, every dollar you save can be spent in another direction so that you don't have to draw from your savings account.

It's a win - win!