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U.S. Department of Agriculture

Retirement: 10 ways to live frugally

Nanci Hellmich
USA TODAY
Experts outline ways to cut costs in retirement.

More than half of people in the USA with significant savings fear going broke in retirement, a recent survey showed, but there are ways to live frugally to try to keep that from happening.

The first step is to create a budget and then get serious about where you can trim, financial experts say. "I am a firm believer in written financial plans, not back-of-the-envelope plans," says Ray Ferrara, a financial planner in Clearwater, Fla. Within your plan, you should have a budget and an investment strategy that meets your tolerance for risk, he says.

Ferrara suggests creating a monthly budget, taking a hard look at your spending and figuring out your cash flow. Make sure to include annual and semi-annual expenses such as real estate taxes, income taxes and insurance premiums, he says. There's a lot of good software to help you come up with a monthly budget and track it, he says.

Some folks may need to "brace themselves for some unpleasant news" when doing a budget review, but they can be comforted by the fact that they can turn things around, says Bruce McClary of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. When adding it all up, keep in mind that your medical costs will probably increase as you get older, he says.

Here are some ideas for ways to live more frugally in retirement:

1. Analyze your living situation. The cost of home and home-related expenses accounts for about 43% of spending for those who are 65 to 74, research shows. So to save money, it may be worth downsizing to a smaller home, McClary says. Less square footage and acreage eases pressure on the budget and can be less stressful to maintain. Downsizing also gives you the opportunity to earn money by selling household items you no longer need, he says.

2. Plan carefully if you are thinking about moving to another home or a different part of the country because it's costly to move, Ferrara says. Make sure the area has the infrastructure you're looking for such as places of worship, medical facilities, universities and colleges.

If possible, visit any new location you are considering to see if it feels right, he says. Make sure you're going to be comfortable there, he says. You want to walk into your home and say, "I'm really glad I did this. This feels right," he says.

3. Check outdiscounts and freebies. Some restaurants, drugstores, hotels and even house- or auto-repair services offer senior discounts, McClary says. The starting age for these discounts varies between companies. Keep in mind that just because a business is offering a special deal doesn't mean it's a good company — you should still check the reviews, he says.

4. Cut the fat from your food budget. It's easier to eat cheaper in retirement if you make more of your meals at home, and this is the stage of life when many people do just that, says Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst for NPD Group, a market research firm that tracks eating trends. "An in-home meal costs about a third of what it costs to buy the same food at a restaurant, and you don't have to get dressed up to go out."

When retirees do dine out, they are saving on tipping by eating fewer meals at places with waiters and waitresses, he says. In 2006, 39% of all restaurant meals ordered by retirees were at places that had waiters or waitresses, but in 2014 that dropped to 34%, Balzer says "More retirees, like the rest of the population, are finding cheaper meals at quick-service places."

5. Be a savvy grocery shopper. Look for good food deals everywhere you go, including at supercenters, dollar stores, wholesale clubs and farmers markets, says Angie Tagtow, executive director of the USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (ChooseMyPlate.gov). "Don't forget to look for coupons in the store and online. You will be surprised what you find."

6. Plan your meals for the week. Write out your menu and make a shopping list, Tagtow says. You'll probably make fewer shopping trips and waste less food, she says.

7. Look for good deals on entertainment, education. Tickets to museums and live performances often come with deep discounts for seniors, McClary says. Those who prefer a movie can save at the ticket counter and at the concession stand. Some entertainment discounts require an AARP membership, but others may only require valid identification, he says.

In Florida, people who are 60 and older can audit any college course anywhere in the state at no cost, but they don't get any college credit, Ferrara says. Some other college and universities do this too so check with ones in your area, he says.

8. Review your cable bill. If you're not using all the cable channels, then consider scaling back to a more affordable cable package, McClary says.

9. Evaluate our automobile costs. Couples who have two cars may be able to get by with one to cut expenses, McClary says. Retirement may be a good time to consider more compact, fuel-efficient vehicles.

10. Consider the strategies for taking Social Security. "There's no one-size-fits-all," Ferrara says. Someone who has a life-threatening disease might not want to wait until 70 to take Social Security, and a person who is desperate for money may need to take it earlier than would be advised under different circumstances, he says. You may want to work with someone who understands Social Security, or the Social Security website (ssa.gov) has good information, he says.

What people 65 to 74 spend their money on

The percentage they spend in each category:

43%, home and home-related expenses

14% on transportation

13%, food

11%, health

9%, entertainment

3%, clothing

7%, other expenses

Source: Employee Benefit Research Institute.

For more stories about retirement, go to retirement.usatoday.com

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