👴👵 How to Stick to Your Retirement Budget in 2026 (AARP Article)

[Winter2025VA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

13 Ways to Stick to Your Retirement Budget in 2026.

How to save more and spend less in the new year.

By Bruce Horovitz and Daniel Bortz, AARP. Published January 05, 2026.

For retirees on fixed incomes, setting and sticking to a budget has never been more critical. Even though income is limited, many expenses are not. Health costs, for example, can be wildly unpredictable for people over 65. Rising prices of consumer goods is also putting pressure on older adults' wallets.

If the past is any predictor of the future, there’s lots of budgeting work to be done. When asked what financial challenges they faced in 2024, 28 percent of Gen Xers (ages 44 to 59) and 14 percent of boomers (ages 60 to 78) said they took on debt, and 19 percent of Gen Xers and 13 percent of boomers said they depleted their savings, according to a survey by Credit Karma, a consumer financial platform.

USE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/money/personal-finance/retirement-budget-tips/

[GailL1]

I didn;t see anything that would help me since most of it I am either already doing or it does not pertain to me,

I saw NOTHING on how to keep down a government (in my case, local) raise in taxes or some of the fee based services they provide going UP.  In my case, water, sanitation pick up and recycling fees.

From the article, I did not understand any purpose for this one

7. Put bills on autopay

NOBODY even for some discount has access to my money.  I pay the bills electronically but not by them having access to take it out of my accounts.  I like to know the amount of my bills since they should not vary by much or what I have calculated. I just don’t understand why AUTP PAY would help out a budget or stick to one. If one is so old that they may forget to pay something, then it might be time to activate that POA and/or a Social Security Representative Payee and let somebody else of your choic take over the bill pay and the budget.

[Winter2025VA]

Gail @GailL1 , I have a few things on autopay not because I will forget to pay them.

For example my AAA is less with autopay.

The same with my Allstate Car Insurance.

I recently started paying on a Pre-Planned Cremation Plan when my daughter visited Virginia last year September 2025. I feel better having it in place in case I die BEFORE I make it back to Florida. I think there is another option to pay each month, but autopay works for me.

Take care,

Nicole 💛

[GailL1]

I pay my auto, homeowners and liability umbrella insurance ANNUALLY - so once and done.  I get the best discount rate that way.  

I already have a dedicated CD for my cremation expenses and also have a columbarium site - all anybody has to do is supply the plastic bag for my remains and since I am pretty small, a quart-size will do fine.  Then the only other thing they have to do is add my DOD to the stone that is already there.  

So that takes out auto-pay for me on those thing too.

[Winter2025VA]

Lol Gail @GailL1 , a plastic bag for me too!!! 😂

Told my daughter NO death announcement please.

Take care,

Nicole 💛

[WebWiseWoman]

Great post, Nicole; Problem is I now have to go to the SSA office to prove I am me AGAIN; that will cost me about $50 both ways. so a weeks worth of food; that's okay, I need to lose a few pounds...

[GailL1]

@WebWiseWoman 

IF this ID check is because you needed to change your direct deposit route -this might help - 

SSA.gov - What to Know about Proving Your Identity  

[Winter2025VA]

Denese @WebWiseWoman , lol - I hear you!!! The life of keeping it simple my friend. Learning NOT to plan too much ahead these days & roll with the waves. I am guessing that is Uber??? 😱 So sorry about all this dear friend. Nicole 💛

[WebWiseWoman]

Thanks, Nicole; any shared Uber codes would be appreciated (seriously cannot afford this unexpected nor unnecessary visit to the SSA); expect it's because of my outspoken disapproval of current; will be homeless / "unhoused" by end of month if I can't fulfill their order to appear...

[Winter2025VA]

Denese @WebWiseWoman , unfortunately I am part of my daughter's Uber account. She handles it all.

Goodness, being homeless in our old age is NO fun at all.

Wish I could help.

America has gotten so UNCARING, it is so sad.

As you know, I was homeless for 13 months in my old age. GRATEFUL for the Property Manager I now have. He cares and as long as he stays, I will be okay.

I will check with my daughter in Florida and the oldsters in my apt complex here in Virginia. IF I get any codes for you, I will PM (private message) you them.

Nicole 💛

[WebWiseWoman]

TY dear friend, Nicole!

[Winter2025VA]

You are welcome Denese @WebWiseWoman , Nicole 💛