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A surprise that may hit you in the early years of retirement – even after you say 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 mention three phases of retirement that dictate your spending habits: Go-Go, Slow-Go, and No-Go. During the Go-Go years, typically between 65 and 75, healthy young retirees spend big to cross lifelong dreams off their bucket list — and tend to make big purchases that could lead to regrets.
from JP Morgan Withdrawal by the numbers the report found that retirees’ average spending gradually declines by more than 30% between ages 60 and 85 as they move into and out of the Go-Go and Slow-Go years (1).
According to AARP, some of the top spending regrets retirees likely have include expensive travel, upsizing to their dream home, purchasing luxury cars, boats or RVs, and impulse shopping online.
While it’s important to manage your retirement savings well, you shouldn’t be afraid to spend money on your dream retirement if you plan accordingly. Here are three ways to prepare your finances for retirement while making sure you can still enjoy the new freedom it brings.
The US 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 retirement itself — could be in jeopardy.
A gold IRA can provide a great way to protect and grow your nest egg so you have extra money available for a dream purchase in those early retirement years. Unlike the US dollar, which has lost 87% of its purchasing power since 1971, gold has risen in value in recent years.
In fact, over the past year, investors have flocked to safe-haven assets like gold to protect their portfolios amid a volatile economic backdrop. Gold prices rose nearly 70% during this period, outperforming the 17.6% return of the S&P 500 (3).
Goldco can help you protect your nest egg by rolling your retirement account into a gold IRA. This allows you to combine the tax advantages of an IRA with the inflation-hedging properties of gold.
By opening a Gold IRA with Goldco, you’re looking ahead and helping to secure your retirement fund. While inflation has increased everyone’s expenses, investing in precious metals can help diversify your portfolio and stabilize your finances.
Read more: Approaching retirement with no savings? Don’t panic, you are not alone. Here are 6 easy ways to catch up (and fast)
It’s not unusual for people to accept whatever rate they’re offered when it comes to insurance, but if you want to leave extra cash to buy your dream home or trip – it’s essential to make sure you don’t waste money on overpriced insurance.
The national average cost for full coverage auto insurance is currently $2,697 per year, or thereabouts $225 per monthaccording to Bankrate (4).
Shopping around and combining auto and homeowners insurance can result in substantial savings. Depending on the state you live in, your driving history, and the make and model of your car, you could 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 possible fare.
Find deals starting at just $29 per month and switch your policy in minutes.
Do the same for your home insurance and you can save a significant amount of cash each year.
OfficialHomeInsurance.com takes the hassle out of shopping for home insurance. In less than 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 helps homeowners save an average of $482 on their home insurance policies.
If you have big retirement plans but feel overwhelmed by the financial choices you need to make to achieve them, consider talking to a financial advisor 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, which means they are legally bound to act in your best interest.
Answer a few quick questions about your investment timeline and goals, and Advisor.com will match you with a reputable financial advisor.
Book a free, no-obligation call today to find the best fit for your needs.
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JP Morgan Asset Management (1); US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2); Apmex (3); Bank rate (4)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. Offered without warranty of any kind.
