It could be daunting to try to save money to retire stress-free . Perhaps you’ve sat down to calculate how much you'll need and become overwhelmed by all the things you have to consider.
Will you pay off your house or still have a mortgage? What about everyday expenses like groceries or utilities? And most importantly, have you saved enough, or will you run out of money?
Before you start to panic with your estimated retirement budget in front of you, here are a few things to consider that can set your mind at ease.
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1. Expenses are lower
One of the great things about retiring is not having to work anymore, which can reduce your daily expenses.
You might save money because you don’t have to pay for gas, coffee, or lunch at your office. You also may save cash by ditching the professional wardrobe you spent money on each year.
Driving less might also help you save money on car insurance , so check with your insurance provider about a potential reduction in your insurance bill.
Do you owe the IRS over $10K? Ask this company to help you eliminate your late tax debt.
2. Social Security is there for you
There might be doomsday news about whether Social Security will exist when you retire or if you’ll be able to collect it. But for now, Social Security isn’t going anywhere, so remember to factor that into your budget.
While Social Security alone likely won't be enough, it will provide a nice pad. Use the calculator on the Social Security Administration’s website to estimate your monthly payments.
3. Downsizing may lower your cost of living
When you retire, you'll most likely also be an empty-nester, with your children leaving home to start their own lives. Perhaps you want to get a smaller house with less upkeep as you get older.
Downsizing your home could result in a windfall from the sale of your house, lower monthly utility bills, and reduced property taxes.
Pro tip : Paying your mortgage may have increased your equity in your home. Check with a financial professional to see if you can unlock some of that equity when you need it.
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4. More time for DIY projects
Your budget may have an extra line for dining out or home repairs. But with more time at home, consider taking on tasks you may have paid others to do when you were still working.
Think about cooking more meals in your kitchen or trying to repair things yourself now that you have extra time in retirement to devote to home projects.
5. You’ve invested enough for retirement
You may be surprised to find that you have invested enough money for retirement already.
As you approach retirement, review your current and estimated retirement budgets to adjust your plans for saving now and spending later.
Adjusting your savings now after a new job or promotion could change your investment plans for the better.
6. Your kids are older
As you get older, so do your kids. They may live with you after college or be out on their own, but they most likely will have a job, which could cover some expenses you would’ve handled when they were younger.
But keep in mind that helping them is not the same as paying for high-ticket items like a car or covering their student loans.
Remember to pay yourself and start investing in your retirement and savings before you pay expenses for your adult children.
Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially 7. More time to optimize your investments
Being retired means you may have more time to devote to your investment portfolio.
Perhaps you could learn how to rebalance your assets on a regular basis or find a financial planner to help you (if you haven’t already).
You may find it's best to put money from your portfolio into more diverse investments. And you can watch your portfolio more often to see what works and what doesn’t work to make your investments work for you.
8. Long-term care insurance
One of the most expensive things you may have to pay for when you’re retired is long-term care, and it could drain your savings. It might be a good idea to start looking into plans now if you haven’t already.
The earlier you take out a policy, the lower your premium. Long-term care insurance may cover any nursing or medical expenses as you age.
9. Adding to your portfolio
There’s no age to stop investing. Even if you’re not earning a regular paycheck, you should continue to invest.
Consider reinvesting any earnings you have as you get older to delay touching your principal.
Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds may generate enough income each year to pay your daily expenses.
Avoid these money mistakes: 9 dumbest things smart people waste money on 10. More time for a side hustle
There are plenty of ways to make extra money with a side hustle, especially if it’s a hobby you enjoy or a new business you’ve always dreamed of starting.
Retiring means you have more free time to finally pursue those other plans, make some money, and enjoy your new adventure.
Bottom line
If you’re worried about supplementing your Social Security when you retire, analyze your current budget and your projected retirement budget, then figure out how you can save more now to have the amount you need later.
You might also want to revisit your budgets regularly as your job situation or retirement plans change.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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