Retirement Retired Life

11 Purchases Retirees Almost Always Regret

Retirement isn’t the time to splurge on new purchases, especially when you need to live on your savings for many years.

man using digital tablet sitting at home
Updated Sept. 24, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Your daydreams about retirement may be getting closer to reality. Maybe you’re planning to retire soon and travel, spend more time on your hobbies, or enjoy long visits with grandchildren.

But you also have to remember that retirement means you’re on a fixed income now, and big purchases can hurt your long-term investment strategy.

So before you start spending your retirement funds, stop throwing away money and see if any of your potential purchases are things you might regret.

Steal this billionaire wealth-building technique

The ultra-rich have also been investing in art from big names like Picasso and Bansky for centuries. And it's for a good reason: Contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years.

A new company called Masterworks is now allowing everyday investors to get in on this type of previously-exclusive investment. You can buy a small slice of $1-$30 million paintings from iconic artists, all without needing any art expertise.

If you have at least $10K to invest and are ready to explore diversifying beyond stocks and bonds, see what Masterworks has on offer. (Hurry, they often sell out!)

Giving money to your kids

staras/Adobe money in the hands of the people

You may have adult kids who moved out of the house ages ago but who may need a little cash to make ends meet or help them with a big purchase.

But don’t let your love for your kids cloud your financial judgment when it comes to your retirement cash. Instead, continue to build wealth for the unexpected.

Make sure you pay yourself before you start to pay others, especially if your kids are adults who can make their own money.

A second home

Monkey Business/Adobe large suburban house with ‘for sale’ sign displayed outside

You may think buying a second home when you retire can be a great investment as well as a place to spend the summer or winter.

But a second home can cut a big hole in your retirement savings and cost you additional money for utilities, taxes, and maintenance. 

And unless you buy a home in a major tourist area, for example, you likely won’t be able to rely on additional income by renting it when you’re not there.

A boat

Jo Ann Snover/Adobe sun and mist on boat dock at sunrise

There's a saying that the two happiest days of a boat owner’s life are the day they buy a boat and the day they sell it.

Boating can be a great hobby, but a boat is an expensive purchase and costs additional money to maintain. You’ll have to constantly spend money on things like fuel, maintenance, dry docking, or a slip, among other expenses.

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 19.74%, 24.74%, or 29.74% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

An expensive car

eekris/Adobe red 1962 Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder classic car

Is there a dream car that you’ve always wanted to own? You may regret waiting until you’re retired to make an expensive purchase like that.

In addition to the cost of the car itself, an expensive vehicle may have a higher price tag to maintain than a typical car. 

You’ll want to factor in routine maintenance when budgeting how much you need for the car. Luxury cars may also have higher insurance premiums and other related costs that could set you back.

High-end travel

pikselstock/Adobe senior couple ringing the doorbell

You may be excited to have more free time for traveling around the country or even around the world.

But your luxury accommodations are going to cost extra cash that will come out of your retirement savings. Instead, consider downgrading the extra luxury and staying in more affordable hotels or taking less expensive trips.

You also may want to look into the best travel credit cards that can earn you extra points or perks for your trips.

Upgrading your current home

andrey gonchar/Adobe man at home laying laminate flooring - finishing

Now that you’re retired and spending more time at home, you may think it’s time to gut your kitchen, build that addition on the back of your home, and redo your bathrooms.

But before you do a home makeover, remember that you’re living on a fixed income now. Perhaps you should focus on one project at a time and see how much you actually have to spend on it before you move on to the next one.

Resort living

maryviolet/Adobe senior couple relaxing by swimming pool lying on chaise-longues

Your ideal retirement might be living in a retirement community in a warm climate by the beach with all the amenities you could ever want.

The novelty of resort living with other people your age may wear off after you’ve been there for a few years.

A clubhouse, gym, golf course, pickleball courts, and swimming pools are wonderful facilities for an active lifestyle, but you end up paying a pretty penny for them that really adds up over time. 

Online shopping

Kateryna/Adobe senior gray-haired woman is shopping online

Leisure time at home may mean you have more time to shop online for various items. You can also tune in to shopping channels on your television to see the latest and greatest things to buy.

But you probably don’t need those purchases, and buying too many little things at once can add up. Instead, set a spending limit for yourself each month as part of your budget and make sure you stick. 

Shopping because you’re retired and bored may lead to financial trouble. It's better to volunteer with one of the many organizations that could use your help.

Life insurance

md3d/Adobe life insurance policy

Life insurance is necessary when your family is young; they would need money to cover expenses if something happened to them.

However, now may be the time to reevaluate your life insurance policy when you no longer have a mortgage to pay or dependents who rely on your income.

If you’re still concerned about expenses when you’re gone, you can downsize to a smaller policy that can help your spouse out if something happens to you.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive discounts and financial resources

Over 50? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member you could be missing out on huge perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on things like travel, meal deliveries, eyeglasses, prescriptions that aren’t covered by insurance and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today” 
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions 
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

You’ll also get insider info on social security, job listings, caregiving, and retirement planning. And you’ll get access to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network to help you protect your money, as well as tools to help you plan for retirement.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (Do not skip this step!) Doing so will allow you to take up 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Upsizing to a new home

taniasv/Adobe hand with small house within bigger house frame

Instead of moving to another city or state with resort living, you may decide to stay in your current area and buy your dream home with plenty of features and extra space.

But a home with more space and fancy features than your current home may cost more, which will have to come out of your retirement savings. 

You’ll also have to factor in higher monthly expenses for heat and air-conditioning and landscape maintenance.

Electronics

Celt Studio/Adobe male hand holding TV remote control

You may decide that if you’re spending time at home, you’re going to need a bigger television, a new surround-sound system, a faster computer, or a better smartphone.

Before you spend all your cash on electronics, consider if you really need that item or if it may be outdated quickly. When you do decide it’s time to upgrade your TV or electronics, be sure to research the product and find the best deal.

Bottom line

lordn/Adobe senior couple sitting on the bench looking at tablet computer

You may have met your goal to retire, but remember that the chunk of cash for retirement needs to last you for decades.

If you want to enjoy a stress-free retirement, be prudent with your spending and think hard about whether you want to spend your cash on certain purchases before you withdraw the money.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0
info

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details


Author Details

Jenny Cohen

Jenny Cohen is a freelance writer who has covered a bit of everything, from finance to sports to her favorite TV shows. Her work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and FoxSports.com.