Five Ways To Reduce How Much You Need To Retire By $300,000

Source:http://millionairemommynextdoor.com/2009/11/five-ways-to-reduce-how-much-you-need-to-retire-by-300000/
This is a guest post written by Todd Tresidder.

If the idea of accumulating a million dollars (or even half of a million) for retirement is daunting then consider this: for every $1,000 reduction in monthly retirement spending you will similarly reduce how much money is needed to retire by $300,000. That is a big deal because most people will find it much easier to retire with bliss and happiness on $1,000 per month lower income than to figure out how to put away an additional $300,000 in retirement savings.

If this all sounds a little confusing rest assured it is just basic math. You can use an online retirement calculator or visit your favorite financial advisor and odds are very high that you will be told you can spend somewhere between 3% and 5% (depending on assumptions) of your savings each year during retirement and remain financially secure. To keep things simple we will assume a very middle-of-the-road 4% of retirement savings spent each year. What that means is you need roughly 25 times your annual spending in savings – otherwise known as the “Rule of 25” – to support this 4% spending habit. You may find this math mundane, but the implications can be very exciting to your retirement plan.

This same rule also tells you how much less you need to save for retirement if you are good at finding happiness and bliss in life while spending less. For example, if you can figure out how to reduce your retirement budget by just $1,000 per month ($12,000 per year) the rule of 25 says you just reduced how much money you need to retire by a whopping $300,000 ($12,000 * 25 = $300,000).

Spending a little less certainly sounds a lot easier than coughing up another $300,000, especially if retirement is just around the corner and your nest egg is not as robust as you might like. By learning to live more simply, you can enjoy financial freedom during your golden years. The key to retiring successfully on less is to find an appropriate level of spending that suits your needs and lifestyle without sacrificing happiness. The only limit here is your own creativity. If you can stay focused on your core values and determine the things that are really important you could completely transform your vision of retirement.

To help get you started, here are five easy ways to save $1,000 a month during retirement without sacrificing happiness:

1) Downsize

Since the kids are grown and out of the house, you don’t need five bedrooms anymore. A smaller house means a smaller property tax bill, lower maintenance costs, lower insurance premiums, and less hassle. Take it a step farther and downsize to a condo or townhouse close to the urban core and you can eliminate the cost of owning one or both of your cars while eliminating all yard and exterior maintenance work. Renting a car for occasional trips out of town is far less expensive than auto repairs and insurance. Following the rule of “less is more,” less stuff to care for means you have more free time to enjoy your retirement, and a combination of downsizing strategies should be able to save you at least $1,000 per month.

2) Move to Mexico

Retire to MexicoIf you’re willing to leave the country then Mexico is a logical choice since it is close (you can drive there, after all). Not only is the cost of living much lower but the climate is appealing, the infrastructure is more modern and advanced than in much of Latin America, fresh fruit is in abundance, and you can surround yourself with other expatriates if you choose. Numerous websites offer logistical advice on relocating to Mexico and other inexpensive retirement havens outside the United States.

If Mexico isn’t your cup of tea then consider relocating to any number of places, foreign or domestic, that are less expensive than your current hometown. Money Magazine lists Sequim in Washington, Dunedin in Florida, Durango in Colorado, Fort Smith in Arkansas, and Janesville in Wisconsin as some of the most affordable places to retire in the United States. If you plan to travel a lot, where you call home may be of minimal importance and the savings could make a huge difference in how much money is needed to fund your retirement. Just do plenty of research before packing your bag: there are many valuable resources on the web to help you find just the right place for your retirement needs and budget – any one of which could save you at least $1,000 per month.

3) Trade Your Home For a RV

Retire as RV FulltimerIf your retirement plans involve extensive travel, consider selling your home and living in an RV. Unburdened by the labor and costs of home ownership, you’ll be free to travel as much as you like or stay put for months on end. Getting rid of your home means no more property taxes, homeowners insurance, maintenance costs or monthly payments, and the home equity is freed to produce investment income. With an RV your home and mode of travel are one and the same. Many retirees even find seasonal employment in national parks and campgrounds that provide a bit of income and social life. The rest of the year they’re free to follow the weather or the grandkids. An RV is easy to store while you travel abroad and you won’t have to worry about home security or frozen pipes. This lifestyle change can easily lower your costs by $1,000 per month and possibly raise your investment income by the same – two for the price of one.

4) Live Healthy

Eat Healthy Save MoneyHealth care costs eat up an increasing proportion of spending as you age. Although some medical issues are unavoidable, you can significantly reduce your health care spending by staying fit and living a healthy, active lifestyle. Eating low on the food chain is good for your body as well as your budget; prepackaged and processed foods often come at high prices with lower nutritional value. Similarly, regular exercise and a low-stress lifestyle can mean fewer trips to the doctor and fewer prescription medications that can quickly break your budget.

5) Make The Little Things Add Up

A thrifty shopper can easily save $1,000 a month on things like groceries, gifts, and recreation. As a retiree your time is flexible thus allowing you to take advantage of midweek savings on green fees, matinee discounts on movie and theater tickets, and early bird discounts in restaurants. Travel off-season and you will not only save money but you’ll encounter fewer crowds.

Develop the habit of asking for discounts and never paying full price. Don’t wait until December to do all your Christmas shopping—pick up items throughout the year at sale prices and give them at the appropriate time. Buy your wrapping paper and seasonal trinkets at the after holiday sales when prices are usually less than half. Or cut out gift expenses altogether and donate a fixed amount to charities or provide a charitable service personally in honor of your loved ones.

Become a grocery store “perimeter shopper,” avoiding the center aisles that are full of sugar, processed foods, and unhealthy snacks. Almost everything you need is around the perimeter of most grocery stores—produce, bread, milk, and meat. Buying certain items in bulk also saves cash. If you pick and choose from these and many other money saving strategies you could easily figure out how to live happily on $1,000 less per month.
Reduce How Much You Need To Retire By $600,000… or more!

Now that you see how easy it is to reduce your spending during retirement by $1,000 per month without sacrificing your happiness, try combining several of these cost saving strategies to double-down or triple-down and really make a big difference in how much money is needed to retire. It’s not hard to imagine a happy lifestyle living out of a motorhome, eating healthy, and enjoying off-season travel and recreation discounts.

Or if an exotic location is more to your liking then a low-cost lifestyle somewhere down in South America might just do the trick. Similarly, if you find it hard to shave expenses by $2,000 per month you may find it easy to pick up the equivalent in part time or temporary income. The math is the same. You might enjoy being a campground host in a beautiful national park, or maybe you are good at taxes and wouldn’t mind working for a few months each year during high tax season when the winter storms are raging.

The point is to get creative and figure out ways to simplify your life so that you spend less, reduce stress, and slash the amount you need to save so that you can retire now with financial security. Once you get past the notion that you have to keep up with the Joneses, you just might discover that you can enjoy retirement a whole lot more by spending a whole lot less.

About the Author

Financial expert Todd R. Tresidder retired securely when he was just 35 years young. His ebook, How Much is Enough to Retire?, shows you the next step beyond simple retirement calculators and traditional retirement planning. Check out his web site for more free retirement planning information and resources.