9 Ways Retirees Can Simplify Life (#5 Saves a Lot of Money)

More isn’t always better. In retirement, you might find greater joy by focusing on what matters most and leaving the rest behind.

So, whether you plan to retire early or intend to work longer before leaving your job, here are the 10 things you should let go of for a simpler, happier post-work life.

Find Out: 7 must-do things before 60 for a stress-free retirement

1. Aggressive spending and investing

Perhaps you were used to spending a lot of money during your working years. This is especially likely if you had a big income and could afford to splurge.

But unless you have a large amount of savings, you might have to be more careful about spending in retirement.

It might also be wise to revisit your investment portfolio’s asset allocation strategy. Make sure you're not taking on too much risk now that you are in retirement. Consulting with a financial advisor can help you chart the right path forward.

If all of this leaves you worried, consider picking up a part-time job, developing a side hustle, or finding another way to make extra cash and give yourself more financial breathing room.

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2. Smoking and drinking

You want to set yourself up for a healthy, long life in retirement, so eliminating unhealthy habits is a good place to start.

Smoking puts you at risk for all manner of diseases, as well as high blood pressure. Drinking alcohol can damage your liver and poses other potential health consequences.

Both of these habits have a negative impact on your energy level and health. Eliminating them can help you feel better and ready to dive into retirement.

3. Clutter around the home

Retirement is a good time to eliminate possessions you don’t need so you can embrace a simpler existence. You might find that life is more relaxing with fewer trinkets and possessions weighing you down.

Start by decluttering one room at a time. Go through your closet or the kitchen. Be honest with yourself about what you need, and get rid of the rest.

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4. Extra space

Getting rid of the clutter might reveal that you need less square footage than you previously thought. If that is true, downsizing can make a significant impact on retirement.

Moving into a smaller home or apartment can save you money on a mortgage and rent. It also can lower your utility, insurance, and property tax costs. All of this is a huge plus when you’re on a fixed income.

5. People pleasing

Many of us fall into the trap of doing things just to make others happy. But as you try to enjoy your golden years, it might be time to leave those people-pleasing tendencies behind.

You no longer have to kowtow to a boss, clients, or anyone else. Once you hit retirement, focus on what you want.

6. Your old tax plan

It’s likely your tax strategy will have to shift in retirement. For some people, that means a move to a state that doesn’t tax Social Security benefits or income.

Meanwhile, others will focus on finding ways to draw down their nest egg in the most efficient way possible. If you're unsure how to handle taxes in retirement, it might make sense to seek the counsel of a tax professional.

7. Defining yourself by your career

If you’ve defined yourself by your title at work for years, retirement can be a shift. Your value is no longer tied to a promotion or climbing the corporate ladder.

Instead, you get to focus on figuring out what brings you fulfillment. Explore hobbies, read, and enjoy life without worrying about whether you’re being productive or meeting professional goals.

8. Waiting until tomorrow

How many times did you put off a hobby in your pre-retirement days? Perhaps you planned to start gardening “tomorrow” or intended to pick up painting when things slowed down at work. Yet, those days never seemed to arrive.

Once you retire, you can finally stop waiting. So, eliminate the notion of waiting until tomorrow. Instead, do it today.

9. Planning everything

One of the joys of retirement is that there are no meetings or presentations to worry about, so you no longer have to live by your calendar.

Instead, you can be spontaneous and see friends and family on a whim. You don't have to plan a lunch several weeks in advance. Go when you feel like it.

10. Disposable income

Perhaps the biggest financial negative of retirement is that you no longer have job income every month. That might mean having to accept that you won’t have the same level of disposable income that you had previously.

This is why embracing simplicity and giving up “stuff” can be a big positive. Living a more frugal lifestyle means there is less need to spend money. That can boost your bank account and its ability to cover your expenses in a big way.

Bottom line

Retirement is when many people focus on what really matters in life. Often, that is relationships, passion projects, travel, and enjoying the present moment.

There's no longer a need for the things that don’t matter. Eliminating some items on this list might help lower your financial stress and increase your enjoyment of this phase of life.

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).