Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

  • Home
  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

11 Major Costs That Will Most Likely Plunge When You Retire

November 23, 2020 · Retirement Life
A retired man in casual linen clothes at a market, showing the shift away from expensive work attire.
A stylish man trades formal office wear for a relaxed linen shirt while browsing a sunny market.

Clothing

When it comes to business wear, we all know what they say: You dress for success. Fortunately, once you’ve retired, you can take a break from wearing stiff suits and high heels and trade in your work wardrobe for more comfortable pants and T-shirts.

The average household led by someone who is 65 or older spends $1,070 a year on clothing, compared to $2,028 a year spent by the average working household. The money you’ll get to save on dry cleaning (around $1,000 a year in certain urban areas) is also something to consider.

While it’s true that retired people don’t spend as much on clothing and related services as working people, according to Marguerita Cheng, the chief executive officer at Blue Ocean Global Wealth, during the first few years of retirement, some retirees might still feel the need to refresh and update their wardrobe.

A couple cooking a healthy meal together in a bright kitchen, representing savings on dining out.
A happy couple prepares fresh vegetables at home to save on dining expenses during retirement.

Food

Many future retirees dream of retiring and making the most of their newfound time by cooking more of their favorite foods or going out to their favorite restaurants. Given that you’ll have 25 percent fewer costs on the food you consume in and out of your house during your golden years, you have every chance of fulfilling those dreams. According to Erik Hurst and Mark Aguiar, professors from the University of Chicago and Princeton University, there’s a simple reason behind all this: when you’re retired, you have fewer mouths to feed (many retirees are empty-nesters) and more time to shop around.

When you’re no longer in such a rush to get to your next destination, you have more time to compare prices, use coupons and plan your meals in advance. This helps you save more from dining out, with spending dropping by as much as 35%. When you’re on a 9 to 5 schedule, much of your dining out consists of lunches on the go or expensive coffees on your way to the office.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Latest Posts

  • A senior woman looking thoughtfully at her phone in a bright, modern home office. 6 Social Security Scams You Need to Pay Attention to
  • A happy retired couple enjoying the sunset on a beautiful porch. 8 States to Retire For Less Than 45K a Year
  • A retired couple looking at a map on a sunny balcony overlooking a beautiful coastal town. 10 Countries to Retire Where $150K Is More Than Enough
  • A happy retiree working on a laptop on a sunny patio, symbolizing flexible part-time work. 20 Great Part-Time Jobs For Retirees
  • A senior couple smiling while looking at a tablet in a bright, modern kitchen. 5 Crucial Medicare Changes Coming Soon
  • A senior couple happily unpacking groceries in a bright, modern kitchen. 9 Ways to Shop at Costco Without a Membership
  • A happy retired couple stands on the porch of a beautiful, sunny home, symbolizing an affordable and joyful retirement. 10 Best Places to Retire That Won't Break the Bank
  • An older man confidently using a laptop in a sunlit home office, symbolizing digital security. 7 Common Passwords To Avoid
  • A retired couple looking out a window in their bright, downsized modern home. 11 Mistakes to Avoid When Downsizing Your Home
  • A retired couple smiling on a balcony overlooking a scenic coastal village at sunset. 12 Best Countries to Live Perfectly Well on Social Security

Newsletter

Get retirement planning tips, savings strategies, and lifestyle insights delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

11 Travel Accessories Every Senior Should Have

Now that we can travel again, after all this time of staying between only four…

Read More →

Top 11 Medical Alerts Systems

Medical alert systems have become a popular choice for many older Americans, especially those who…

Read More →

30 Things That You Really Don’t Need as a Retiree

CLOTHES In the 1990s, the average American consumer purchased around 40 garments a year. By…

Read More →

Top 20 Affordable Cities for Retirees in 2020

18. St. Petersburg, Florida We think the reasons why so many seniors select St. Petersburg…

Read More →

10 Common Myths That Might Be Killing Your Early Retirement Plans

You’ll have to cut back on expenses It’s understandable to think that early retirement means…

Read More →

10 Ways These 3 Virtual Assistants Can Improve the Lives of Seniors

MEDICATION REMINDERS We might not like this but aging and medication usually go hand in…

Read More →

Avoid These 20 Cities If You Want a Worry-Free Retirement

Discover the worst cities for retirees based on cost of living, taxes, crime, and healthcare…

Read More →

Retirement Savings Mistakes Financial Advisors See Too Often

3. Overpaying on fees Lindsay Martinez, the founder of Xennial Planning is here to remind…

Read More →

5 Signs You’re Emotionally Ready for Retirement

How will I fill my time? – We rarely comprehend the amount of free time we…

Read More →
Retired in America

Your Guide to a Confident Retirement

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@retiredinamerica.com

Trust & Legal

About Us

Editorial Policy

Advertiser Disclosure

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

Disclaimer

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Subscribe

Unsubscribe

Categories

  • Personal finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in America. All rights reserved.