Do you spend more or less in retirement, on travel, and other things than you thought you would? Also, have you drastically changed the way you travel - price of hotels, restaurants, etc. - since you retired? We're contemplating retirement in a year or less, and I'm already worrying about such things! Also, did you move to a cheaper area to live when you retired, as opposed to a bigger city? (We're at RTP, Raleigh, NC)

Good question! We travel more, but spend less doing it. We go for much longer periods of time, since we are blessed with more time, no more counting vacation days. I think that's my favorite part!

We tend to eat out less and cook in more, but like I told a friend, I'd rather go to FL for a month and cook a few nights a week than go for a week and eat out every night!

We stayed where we were, out area isn't mega $$$. It was scary at first, but fun. We also prepared, or tried to prepare for it by getting larger purchases out of the way while we still had an income.

Good luck and enjoy!

I know the feeling. When my husband decided to retire we were both concerned about the drop in income. But it didn't turn out too badly. Don't have to keep up with the work clothes, cleaning, nor the travel back and forth to work, so some money was saved. We took advantage of any and all discounts and joined a Senior discount program with a motel chain, that does save us money when we are on the road again. We own timeshares, so when we go some where we have a kitchen so we can eat in or out, what ever suits us. Mostly in, unless we are off sight seeing.

We moved to be closer to our kids, and where it is sunny and warm to boot! Don't know if living here is all that much cheaper than where we were, but then we're just careful how we spend. Just built a house, so everything is new and hopefully won't wear out before we do

It is a big change, but don't move without trying out where you think you'll want to go, before you do. Saw too many people do that and then be sorry because they couldn't adjust and didn't like being away from long time friends and close to family. Good luck.

Thanks, CF, for your reply. I imagine that's what we'll be doing also, staying longer but living cheaper. That is fine with me really - we are so looking forward to that "not counting days" thing. There's so much of the U.S. that we haven't seen, and I'd rather stay in Comfort Inns for three weeks than the Hyatt for one! We also like Hampton Inns and Holiday Inn Express. Is that the level of hotel you stay in, or do you go lower? (or higher?) In Hawaii, I like a little fancier hotel (after flying all that way) but normally, a CLEAN high-budget hotel is fine for us.

If you don't mind my asking, in your normal daily life, CF, do you spend more or less than you did before?


Thanks!

We 'retired' more than six years ago and now live on an income approx half of what we did when working. We're still very busy -("semi-retired" means: you work twice as hard for half the money) - with various p/t or free-lance employments as well as house/hobby projects, but have still found time to take a spring and fall trip each year (including 2 trips to Europe). Though we don't really stick to a budget, it was a good thing to make one up in the beginning to at least get a handle on expected costs. One unbeatable savings for travel lodging is an informal B&B network; you can find all info at: www.EvergreenClub.com
We've both been 'thrifty' types all our lives (which doesn't preclude loving the occasional 'splurge'), and that's something that retirement doesn't change - it's just good preparation for it. Good luck to you!

May I add a question here to the above ones: what age did you retire, and in retrospect, was it the right decision? Thanks a bunch!

Retired at age 59 and could not be happier. We travel more in retirement, but not much. We usually go to the caribbean 2-3 times a year, Hawaii once a year, Las Vegas once a year to see shows, and either Arizona or Florida once a year. Spending on travel is the same in retirement. Usually stay at a Marriott property if available, but if not we stay at something comparable, not too fancy, but comfortable.

Rachel: With a spouse who is 17 years older, I 'retired" a year after he did, when I was 54. I'd never been lucky enough to have a job I really liked -despite making pretty darned good $$ - so walking away was no problem. Have not worked full-time since, which means...spending clost to $3,000 a year for health insurance. (Spouse is covered by medicare/supplemental). A small part of me thinks I should be out there, still humping full-time, for bennies, etc...but the rest of me is so satisfied with my life as is, that it's just not worth the trade-off.

Hubs went into partial retirement at 55, he worked about 4 months out of the year. He will finish up next week for good.(at 57) I know the feeling of living on much less income. I think it was well worth it. When it stops being fun to go to work and you are mired down in BS and administrative crap that's the time to go before they carry you out...

As to spending differently, yes I do. I lost the $100 mentality as I called it. You know, Oh well, it's only 50 bucks or 70 bucks or 100 bucks, go ahead and buy it...LOL

I think twice now and if I realize I don't NEED it, just WANT it, I don't buy it. In the good old working days, I would have bought it just cause I liked it or wanted it kind of thing.

We have a motor home that we purchased before retirement and even with the cost of gas it is a cheap way to travel. Average $20 a night to camp, this is at a full service "resort" campground. Most have all the amenities of a regular resort, like pool and beach and activities. Pot luck dinners, great people...some places you can rent by the month and that averages between 200 and 500 a month. Includes utilities and cable. Not a bad way to go. Even with the chores you have in the MH it beats a hotel for us. Pitching in and helping each other, you're done in 15 minutes or so. There are paper plates too ya know...LOL Cooking in doesn't have to mean a fancy dinner, we eat light and simple a lot of the time too. I do have to confess to cooking an entire Thanksgiving dinner tho last year in the motor home. Must have been out of my mind!

What great info I'm getting! Especially about the RV Resort, etc. Never realized it was that economical, but I guess the RV'S aren't exactly cheap either, are they?

Talking about buying "stuff", I am so sick of most of my things and don't want anymore, really! You know the "don't give me anything but a restaurant gift certificate" syndrome - because I don't want to store it or dust it! You know the feeling?

Thanks everybody. I'm loving your replies!

My parents retired at an early age, my Dad retired at 53, 16 years ago. My parents drive more instead of flying, as they also stay for extended periods of time. One way to save money on hotels is to pick up the magazines at the rest stops on the interstate highways. These magazines are chock full of hotels and motels with very reasonable rates -- my parents have stayed at the La Quinta chain for under $30 per night. Some of these hotels are in the city centers, but others are off a highway, but you can save a lot of money staying on the outskirts. And, yes, they do take advantage of senior citizen discounts, and don't eat in restaurants every night. Best bet is to go out to lunch in a restaurant, even if you go at 4pm.

None of your business!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ruth, Will you still be staying in the Raleigh area? I hear it's very expensive.NC taxes are high & they tax your groceries.

Nancy,

We are seriously looking at Johnson City/Jonesborough, Tennessee area because it's supposed to be almost 25% cheaper to live there (no state income tax compared to 7% in NC). We'd always thought we'd retire to the Asheville, NC area but that has become so popular, it's now the most expensive area in the state, so Johnson City area would be 45 miles away but no state tax. The area is not as pretty as the North Raleigh area we live in, but you cannot have everything!

What is your situation? What state, etc.?

My sister lives in the Johnson City/Jonesborough area...It's pretty - foothills, windy roads, etc...but lots of development encroaching there too (like everywhere else). My sister is not much of a go-er/do-er...and yet, even visiting, I've never gotten the sense of it being a community you could really get 'into' ...Just an opinion, but do give it lots of thought...

XXX, thanks so much for your input! To be honest, we're not that involved in community things even here in N. Raleigh. My hubby likes a yard to take care of, we will do a lot of driving trips around the U.S., my best friend is building a house there, and we will join a local church. We just want a decent neighborhood with a decent smaller home - a base from which to do the traveling that we want to do, and a place for our son and family to visit us - as opposed to moving into a community that we want to be active leaders/participants in, do a lot of entertaining, that kind of thing.

Did your sister retire to that area? How did she end up there? Is she happy there?

Thank you much!

The initial purchase of an RV can put you into sticker shock, but we aren't the type that would be happy buying a condo and spending the rest of our lives in one place. This way we can have a "condo" everywhere. How many can pack up their condo and go somewhere else if the weather gets bad?! LOL

Last summer we took it on our first long trip. We stayed at Myrtle Beach for a month. I cannot begin to describe how much nicer for us it was than a hotel. We had our own things, knew what that spot on the floor was...had everything we needed to live. I loved it. We're going for a longer period this year. It definitely isn't for everyone, but try it! Rent one and go for a week.

CF,

That is a great idea, to rent an RV for a week and give it a try! My hubby has joked about "living in an RV" but we haven't given it serious thought, even renting one. We just might try that renting for a week or so. What would that cost?

Thanks!

I have no idea. You can do a search on RV rentals and pull up some companies. I've never rented, we have had one since 91. Actually, we're on our second one....is this your real email address?