Even if you have spent years living a frugal lifestyle in order to save for your retirement years, a change in income might make it necessary for you to pinch pennies a little tighter than you anticipated following retirement. Current economic issues and the continually rising cost of living can put a strain on anyone's budget. Fortunately, there are ways to enjoy your retirement years even if you find yourself frequently testing the elasticity of a dollar.
First of all, you should proudly acknowledge your age. There are senior discounts available in a variety of places, but if you don't request the senior discount, you probably won't get it. Don't let vanity or pride prevent you from earning the rewards available to you now that you have attained senior citizen status.
Now that you are retired and have more time to travel, you can use some of your extra time to research your travel options. Since your schedule is more flexible than it was before you retired, you can probably secure some good deals simply by being able to travel at various times or by being ready to go somewhere on short notice. Tour groups often offer discounts for seniors. Many motels also have senior rates. Sign up for newsletters, alerts, and emails regarding travel and lodging discounts for seniors. Check out airlines and car rental companies that offer discounts to seniors.
Senior organizations such as AARP offer numerous savings opportunities. AARP offers you opportunities to save on travel, lodging, and dining. They also offer ways to save on health care costs and insurance. Check out the various senior organizations, especially your local area organizations, to see which ones offer benefits that are the most applicable to you.
Take advantage of free health and wellness clinics and free seminars on health related topics. Staying well and physically fit is beneficial to your health and your budget. Check with local pharmacies about discounts relating to your prescription medications.
Find out what stores in your area have senior discount days and do your shopping on those days. For a seriously frugal shopping adventure, check out senior discounts offered by stores where the prices are already low such as a local Goodwill or Salvation Army store. Many grocery stores have a discount day for seniors. Just by shopping for groceries on senior day, you can instantly reduce the cost of groceries.
When the budget is tight, dining out may be one of the activities that gets trimmed from the budget. You can enjoy the pleasure of dining out more frequently if you select local restaurants that offer senior discounts or have a senior section on their menu. Keep in mind, if you are served more food than you can eat at that meal, you can take the remainder home and enjoy it later. That is a good way to stretch a dollar. You can also save money with buy one, get one free deals by taking one of the items home to eat later.
Without a work schedule or with a reduced work schedule, you have more time for the fun things life has to offer. A tight budget doesn't prohibit you from going out and enjoying activities with friends or from sharing a romantic adventure with the love of your life. Movie theaters, museums, National parks, State parks, and many other places offer senior discounts. Search out free local entertainment such as summer outdoor music concerts and festivals of various types.
Stay connected with your local senior citizen organizations to keep informed about events going on for seniors in your area. Joining a local book club, taking classes to pursue a long time dream such as writing, painting, or learning some type of craft are excellent ways to socialize while learning. You may find discounts offered to seniors who want to enroll in crafting classes. Joining friends for a bike ride or nature walk is an inexpensive social activity. You might be able to find a local gym that offers senior discounts so that you can participate in regular physical fitness activities.
Enjoy all of the benefits available to you now that you have earned the opportunity to proudly say, "I am a senior citizen."
By VeronicaHB
This is a page about cutting back in retirement and still having fun. For many people retirement may require some spending cutbacks, but that does not mean you can't still have fun.
