After spending your life working on your retirement plan, it's time to enjoy the life you prepared for yourself. This is when you can reflect and invest in what brings you joy, fulfillment, and comfort. Thoughtful investments and wise spending during retirement can boost your quality of life and save you from regret.
Here, we highlight the purchases that retirees commonly find valuable, fulfilling, and worth the investment.
If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources
Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.
How to become a member today:
- Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
- Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
- Start enjoying your discounts and perks!
Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $15 the first year with auto-renewal.
Quality healthcare insurance
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Good health insurance coverage is a worthwhile expense for many retirees. Comprehensive coverage offers peace of mind and can prevent financial strain due to medical care costs. Plus, you can typically get better care when it's needed.
Downsizing to a smaller home
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Retirees often don't need a large home, and many find that it's beneficial to downsize. A smaller house is more manageable and requires less maintenance. With less stress and lower costs, you likely won't regret making the change.
Travel experiences
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When you no longer have to focus on work, travel is one of the best ways to spend your time. Memorable experiences will be cherished, so explore the world or travel across the country. It's an enriching way to use your retirement funds while checking things off your bucket list.
Taking meaningful trips creates priceless memories, helps keep life exciting, and provides a sense of adventure.
Resolve $10,000 or more of your debt
Credit card debt is suffocating. It constantly weighs on your mind and controls every choice you make. You can end up emotionally and even physically drained from it. And even though you make regular payments, it feels like you can never make any progress because of the interest.
National Debt Relief could help you resolve your credit card debt with an affordable plan that works for you. Just tell them your situation, then find out your debt relief options.1 <p>Clients who are able to stay with the program and get all their debt settled realize approximate savings of 46% before fees, or 25% including our fees, over 12 to 48 months. All claims are based on enrolled debts. Not all debts are eligible for enrollment. Not all clients complete our program for various reasons, including their ability to save sufficient funds. Estimates based on prior results, which will vary based on specific circumstances. We do not guarantee that your debts will be lowered by a specific amount or percentage or that you will be debt-free within a specific period of time. We do not assume consumer debt, make monthly payments to creditors or provide tax, bankruptcy, accounting or legal advice or credit repair services. Not available in all states. Please contact a tax professional to discuss tax consequences of settlement. Please consult with a bankruptcy attorney for more information on bankruptcy. Depending on your state, we may be available to recommend a local tax professional and/or bankruptcy attorney. Read and understand all program materials prior to enrollment, including potential adverse impact on credit rating.</p>
How to get National Debt Relief to help you resolve your debt: Sign up for a free debt assessment here. (Do not skip this step!) By signing up for a free assessment, National Debt Relief can assist you in settling your debt, but only if you schedule the assessment.
Financial planning or estate planning services
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Hiring a professional to advise on managing retirement funds, taxes, wills, and other financial tasks helps with long-term financial security. When you have everything in place and a professional looking over it, you won't run into surprises or future headaches.
Consider hiring a trusted financial advisor or subscribing to financial management tools. Many retirees never regret this decision because it can save money and help stretch your retirement funds. Plus, it gives you peace of mind as you enjoy this chapter of your life.
Fitness and wellness programs
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Investing in your long-term physical and mental well-being is something many retirees never regret. When you stay active and healthy, you can live a more vibrant life and remain independent longer. You can get a gym membership or invest in exercise equipment at home.
Many gyms offer fitness classes, too, so you can get a professional to help you during your journey. Or, you could sign up for a wellness retreat for the ultimate experience. Whatever you choose in this category, you aren't likely to regret investing in your physical and mental health.
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Home modifications for accessibility
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As you age, you may want to modify parts of your home to make your daily living easier or hosting more enjoyable. You can upgrade to improve comfort, function, and how it aligns with your new lifestyle.
Adding grab bars or stairlifts helps ensure a safe and convenient retirement. Even if you don't need them immediately, having them in place if you have a concern often pays off.
Lifelong learning
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Continuous learning keeps you mentally active and can lead to making new friends and having new experiences. Retirees who invest in learning during retirement don't tend to regret it. You can learn a new language, engage in a new hobby, sign up for educational courses, or anything else that comes to mind.
A reliable vehicle
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Having a reliable vehicle is essential and eases the cost of repairs if you have something that doesn't work well. Whether you only have to get around your town or if you plan to travel in your vehicle, reliability is something you likely won't regret. Plus, you'll feel like you have the freedom for spontaneous travel or unexpected events.
Hobby-related equipment
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Your retirement years are the perfect time for indulging in your hobbies. You have more time now, so you can take on projects you couldn't do before. Investing in equipment related to your hobbies can help you live a fulfilling life and give you a sense of purpose in your new daily routine.
From gardening tools to a new golf set or art supplies, investing in your passions isn't something you'll likely forget.
Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account
Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!2 <p>See website for details.</p>
With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!
This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.
Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.
Gifts for loved ones
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Working hard to save and invest for retirement means you've put yourself in a position to give gifts to those you love the most. Now is the time to give gifts of memorable trips or experiences your loved ones will never forget. Retirees don't typically regret these purchases because it helps strengthen family bonds by creating shared memories that last a lifetime.
Quality jewelry
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Investing in quality jewelry gives retirees something to pass down as a family heirloom. As it's passed down through generations, it builds sentimental value and offers a way for you to be remembered by those you won't have a chance to meet in your family tree.
Bottom line
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Preparing for retirement is a lifelong endeavor. When you reach that stage, you should do things that bring you fulfillment and joy.
You can still avoid wasting money while purchasing things that improve your health, happiness, and well-being. Using rewards at the places you shop or on the card you use to make the purchases can help you stretch your retirement budget.
Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards
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Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Current Offer
$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Annual Fee
$0
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
Benefits
- Low spend threshold for its welcome offer — $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
- Cell phone protection benefit (subject to a $25 deductible)
- Can redeem rewards at an ATM for literal cash
Drawbacks
- Foreign transaction fee of 3%
- No bonus categories
- Apply Now to take advantage of this offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
- Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.
- Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases.
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers. 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR thereafter; balance transfers made within 120 days qualify for the intro rate and fee of 3% then a BT fee of up to 5%, min: $5.
- $0 annual fee.
- No categories to track or remember and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
- Find tickets to top sports and entertainment events, book travel, make dinner reservations and more with your complimentary 24/7 Visa Signature® Concierge.
- Up to $600 of cell phone protection against damage or theft. Subject to a $25 deductible.
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