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One surprise that might hit you in your first few years of retirement — even after saying goodbye to work expenses and retirement account contributions, you may end up spending more than when you had a job.
As you approach retirement, you may hear financial planners cite three retirement phases that dictate spending habits: Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go. In the Go-Go years, typically 65 to 75, healthy young retirees spend big on scratching life-long dreams off their bucket list — and tend to make big purchases that could lead to regrets.
J.P. Morgan’s Retirement by the Numbers report found that average retiree spending gradually declines by over 30% between the ages of 60 and 85, as they enter and exit the Go-Go and Slow-Go years (1).
According to AARP, some of the top spending regrets retirees are likely to have include expensive trips, upsizing to their dream house, purchasing fancy cars, boats or RVs and some impulse online shopping.
While it’s important to manage your retirement savings well, you shouldn’t be afraid to spend money on the retirement of your dreams if you plan accordingly. Here are three ways to prepare your finances for retirement while ensuring you can still enjoy the newfound freedom it brings.
The U.S. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the annual inflation rate increased by 2.7% in November 2025 (2). With the economy still on shaky ground, your 401(k) or IRA — and your retirement itself — could be at risk.
A Gold IRA can offer a great way to protect and grow your nest egg, so you have the extra cash available for a dream purchase in those early retirement years. Unlike the U.S. dollar, which has lost 87% of its purchasing power since 1971, gold’s value has increased over the last few years.
In fact, investors have been flocking to safe-haven assets like gold over the past year to protect their portfolios amid a volatile economic backdrop. Gold prices surged by nearly 70% over this period, outpacing the S&P 500 index’s 17.6% return (3).
Goldco can help you safeguard your nest egg by rolling over your retirement account into a gold IRA. This lets you combine the tax advantages of an IRA with the inflation-hedging properties of gold.
By opening a Gold IRA with the help of Goldco, you’re looking out for your future self and helping to secure your retirement fund. While inflation has increased everyone’s expenses, investing in precious metals can help to diversify your portfolio and stabilize your finances.
It’s not uncommon for people to take whatever rate they’re offered when it comes to insurance, but if you want to leave extra cash available to buy that dream home or trip — ensuring you’re not wasting money on overpriced insurance is essential.
The national average cost for full-coverage car insurance is currently $2,697 per year, or roughly $225 per month, according to Bankrate (4).
Shopping around and bundling your auto and homeowners insurance can lead to substantial savings. Depending on which state you live in, your driving history and the make and model of your car, you can save up to $820 a year.
OfficialCarInsurance.com lets you compare quotes from trusted brands, including Progressive, Allstate and GEICO, to make sure you’re getting the best deal. The matching system takes into account your location, vehicle details and driving history to find you the lowest rate possible.
Do the same for your home insurance, and you could save a significant amount of cash each year.
OfficialHomeInsurance.com takes the hassle out of shopping for home insurance. In just under 2 minutes, you can explore competitive rates from top insurance providers, all in one place. OfficialHomeInsurance makes it easy to find the coverage you need at a price that fits your budget.
The side-by-side comparison is helping homeowners save an average of $482 on their home insurance policies.
If you have big plans for retirement but feel overwhelmed about the financial choices you have to make to make them happen, consider speaking to a financial adviser who specializes in retirement planning.
Advisor.com can quickly match you with an advisor who will guide you through your options. The platform’s advisors are fiduciaries — meaning they are legally obligated to act in your best interest.
Just answer a few quick questions about your investment timeline and your goals, and Advisor.com will match you with a reputable financial advisor.
