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6 Things People Over 50 Are Buying That Are Actually a Terrible Value

These purchases can put your retirement at risk.

By Chris Lewis, CEPF , Edited by Laura Hohenstein

Updated July 30, 2026

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While 50 isn't a hard cutoff for any financial decisions, it is the age when many people start thinking seriously about retirement — and rightfully so. This is often the transition point from building and accumulating wealth to protecting and preserving it, so it's there when you enter your retirement years.

That's why it makes sense to reframe your purchasing habits. Instead of asking whether something feels like a reward for years of hard work, it may be better to ask whether you can sustain it in old age. These common purchases can actually be surprising financial mistakes, but we share some alternatives to help keep you on track.

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Brand-new cars with big payments

New cars may seem like a shiny reward for decades of sacrifice, but they lose value quickly due to depreciation — as much as 30% in the first two years. This makes them a poor use of cash for someone who is building wealth through assets or needs stability.

Add up the tax, title, license, insurance, regular maintenance, and large monthly payments for an outright purchase or lease, and you've just carved out a big chunk of the monthly budget. That money could have been used for healthcare, emergencies, or even retirement fun.

Smarter alternative: Buy a reliable used car, keep a paid-off vehicle longer, or downsize to one economy car per household to free up cash.

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Timeshares and vacation clubs

Sure, you might come away with a free cruise for sitting in on a timeshare sales presentation, but if you end up buying, you may have regrets. These investments come with additional fees over time for maintenance and special assessments, even if you don't use them.

People also experience the "sunk cost fallacy" and feel they must keep investing, even if they never get to travel, just because they've already spent so much. Some charge you penalties if you try to leave your contract.

Smarter alternative: Book travel outright through a reputable agency during off-peak seasons, or pool trips with friends to split the costs for luxury locations for days you'll actually want to travel.

Extended warranties

In a time when we insure our health, home, and even our lives, it can be tempting to want to insure our products, too. But extended warranties aren't the same thing as insurance, and they often only pay out for very specific damages. They can also be much more expensive than replacing the item, in some cases.

Many warranties are very difficult to file a claim against, and some only protect you after your manufacturer's warranty expires. These warranties may only make sense on large products where the math clearly favors coverage.

Smarter alternative: Keep an emergency repair and replace fund for smaller purchases and use your credit card's purchase protection coverage for loss, damage, or repair claims (if available).

Storage units

Using self-storage rentals for short-term transitions (like moving between homes or to store a college kid's summer stuff) can make sense. But these units often become the catch-all for accumulated clutter that no one wants to deal with.

Your 50s are actually the ideal time to downsize and go through stuff now, before you're old and risk passing it along to your kids. You won't miss that monthly storage bill.

Smarter alternative: Check in with kids or family members to see if anyone has sentimental attachments to items. Then, see about selling on sites like Vinted or eBay, or donate to charity, to give stored items new life.

Expensive beauty and miracle products

If you thought the beauty industry was only aimed at youthful TikTokkers, think again. Aging beauty is a huge market, and many ads target those in their 50s and 60s. But many of these treatments require continual use to work, if they work at all.

By the time you add up your serums, creams, lasers, and injections, you may have paid off your home or funded a kid through college. No one is saying you can't prioritize your health or looks, but be ruthless about scrutinizing any new "cure" before you buy.

Smarter alternative: Consider the free, proven basics before you spend a lot on a trend, because sleep, hydration, and proper nutrition can go a long way on their own. If pressed, your dermatologist can tell you about affordable, proven regimens instead of pricey brand-name options.

Oversized homes

It's one of life's toughest lessons: When you have young kids and need the space, you don't have the income for a giant home. But buying a large, high-cost home when you're older might not make sense, either.

The budget strain of utilities, maintenance, and property taxes (even on a paid-off home) can be enormous. Also, the fixed income of a retirement plan leaves little wiggle room for increased taxes or repair costs.

Smarter alternative: Downsizing to a beautifully updated but smaller home with luxury amenities may bring you the same satisfaction with long-term stability.

Make Money: 8 things to do if you're barely scraping by financially

Bottom line

Turning 50 doesn't mean you have to eliminate every indulgence, but you should recognize when old habits no longer match your future reality. Redirecting money from these low-value purchases to meaningful investments sets you up for a more successful retirement plan.

If you haven't done a life-stage spending audit this year, schedule one now. Sit down and ask, "Does this purchase make sense for me in 5 years? What about 10?" If the answers are more "no" than "yes," it's time to revise your habits.

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Author Details

Chris Lewis, CEPF

Chris Lewis has spent his career turning data into answers. As the Head of Research at FinanceBuzz and a Certified Educator in Personal Finance, he oversees the data journalism and media relations teams, digging into the personal finance topics that shape Americans' lives at every stage, from Social Security and retirement income to 401(k) strategies, jobs, and real estate.