{"id":266762,"date":"2025-11-07T01:49:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T01:49:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/266762\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T01:49:24","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T01:49:24","slug":"7-expenses-that-drain-retirement-budgets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/266762\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Expenses That Drain Retirement Budgets"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                    <img src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/iStock-2155428572-e1759681785502.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-post-image main-post-image\" alt=\"Mature couple using AI to plan for retirement together at home.\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" \/>                <\/p>\n<p>\n                    LordHenriVoton \/ iStock.com                <\/p>\n<p>Commitment to Our Readers<\/p>\n<p class=\"Font--Poppins Font--Body-l\">GOBankingRates&#8217; editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services &#8211; our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/about\/editorial-guidelines\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">editorial guidelines<\/a> and our products and services <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/about\/review-methodology\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">review methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.gobankingrates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/icon-20.svg?webp=1&amp;quality=75\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1994546\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Font--Poppins Font--Body-l\">20 Years<br \/>Helping You Live Richer<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.gobankingrates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/icon-experts-review.svg?webp=1&amp;quality=75\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1989830\"\/><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.gobankingrates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/icon__trusted.svg?webp=1&amp;quality=75\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1994547\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Font--Poppins Font--Body-l\">Trusted by <br \/>Millions of Readers<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/retirement\/planning\/planning-for-retirement\/\" data-is-dynamic-hyperlink=\"false\" data-link-type=\"first-link\" data-link-position=\"1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Retirement<\/a> can be an exciting time. Your years of planning have now become reality, allowing you to enjoy your vision of post-work life. Amid all of the new changes, one can reign supreme, and that\u2019s moving to a fixed income. Although not bad, per se, it does require a shift in money management, as everyday expenses can sneak under the radar and have a greater impact on your budget. <\/p>\n<p>These are seven small <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/retirement\/planning\/retirement-expenses-boomers-didnt-plan-for-should-have\/\" data-is-dynamic-hyperlink=\"false\" data-link-type=\"money-link\" data-link-position=\"2\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">expenses that can quickly add up in retirement years<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>1. TV Viewing<\/p>\n<p>Watching the latest show or movie is a fun leisure activity. Unfortunately, TV is growing increasingly expensive. The average person spends nearly $170 per month on video entertainment, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/go2.tivo.com\/VTR_Q2_2025_NAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">TiVo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve cut the cord, find ways to reduce costs, such as canceling a service if you haven\u2019t used it in over a month. For those with cable, consider opting for streaming. Even <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/saving-money\/entertainment\/how-much-average-american-spends-streaming-year-save-cutting-back\/\" data-is-dynamic-hyperlink=\"false\" data-link-position=\"3\" data-link-type=\"incontent_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cutting costs<\/a> in half can significantly increase savings.<\/p>\n<p>2. Food Delivery<\/p>\n<p>Nothing beats ordering food from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/saving-money\/savings-advice\/blew-25-dollars-delivery-meal-changed-see-money\/\" data-is-dynamic-hyperlink=\"false\" data-link-position=\"4\" data-link-type=\"incontent_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a meal delivery<\/a> app like DoorDash on a Friday evening or just because. Unfortunately, it\u2019s easy for this to become an expensive habit, as fees can be notoriously high.<\/p>\n<p>Americans spend nearly $120 monthly on food delivery, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.empower.com\/the-currency\/play\/the-cost-of-convenience-how-food-delivery-apps-add-up-news\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Empower<\/a>. Consider reducing order frequency to lower budgetary stress.<\/p>\n<p>3. Banking Fees<\/p>\n<p>Where you bank matters, especially as a senior. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/banking\/banks\/how-avoid-bank-fees\/\" data-is-dynamic-hyperlink=\"false\" data-link-position=\"5\" data-link-type=\"incontent_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Banks often charge fees<\/a>, with the maintenance fee being the most notorious. It\u2019s fair to expect to pay as much as $25 monthly for this charge, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnbc.com\/select\/how-to-avoid-bank-fees\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">CNBC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Many banks offer senior-friendly accounts that waive common fees. The financial institution may market these accounts, and if not, you can inquire at your local branch for options. If you travel often, selecting a bank that reimburses ATM fees can also be helpful.<\/p>\n<p>4. Impulse Purchases<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/saving-money\/savings-advice\/how-to-stop-impulse-buying\/\" data-is-dynamic-hyperlink=\"false\" data-link-position=\"6\" data-link-type=\"incontent_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Impulse spending<\/a> runs the gamut, from a $5 coffee to mindless online shopping. These expenses may seem negligible, but they can quickly get out of hand if not closely monitored.<\/p>\n<p>Create a budget for your favorite impulse purchases and identify ways to stretch it, such as brewing coffee at home or shopping online only when you have a discount code and need the item.<\/p>\n<p>5. Prescription Drug Costs<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gobankingrates.com\/saving-money\/savings-advice\/i-work-in-healthcare-heres-what-you-need-to-know-before-buying-prescriptions\/\" data-is-dynamic-hyperlink=\"false\" data-link-position=\"7\" data-link-type=\"incontent_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Affordability of prescriptions<\/a> is a significant concern for many retirees. Nearly 40% of seniors have personally skipped filling a prescription, or know someone who has, due to cost, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarp.org\/pri\/topics\/health\/prescription-drugs\/prescription-medication-costs-medicare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">AARP<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Being your own advocate is vital. Ask your doctor about generic alternatives when they prescribe a medicine. The same philosophy can be employed when purchasing over-the-counter drugs to save more.<\/p>\n<p>6. Gym Memberships<\/p>\n<p>Exercise is important, but if you\u2019re not using your gym membership, it\u2019s likely hurting your budget. The average cost of a gym membership in the U.S. is $50 per month, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/smarthealthclubs.com\/blog\/100-gym-membership-retention-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Smart Health Clubs<\/a>. Premium clubs can easily triple that cost, if not more.<\/p>\n<p>If you want a gym membership, consider a budget option that is a fraction of the cost. You may not get all the perks of a premium gym, but they work. For those who don\u2019t need a gym but are still paying for one, consider canceling the membership and exploring other ways to stay active.<\/p>\n<p>7. Home Maintenance Fees<\/p>\n<p>Unless you plan on doing a lot of the work yourself, retirement life may involve outsourcing tasks like yard work, handyman services and sprinkler maintenance.<\/p>\n<p>The costs may not seem outlandish, but they can add up. Comparison shopping or bundling services is a good way to identify the best values. Your area may even have resources that serve seniors to keep costs in check.<\/p>\n<p>You worked hard to plan for retirement. It\u2019s wise to keep spending in check, even in small amounts, so you don\u2019t needlessly drain your resources. Don\u2019t deny everything you want, but be purposeful with spending to enjoy life.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LordHenriVoton \/ iStock.com Commitment to Our Readers GOBankingRates&#8217; editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":266763,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[45,49,48,133,11915,890,131,132,1705],"class_list":{"0":"post-266762","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-personal-finance","8":"tag-business","9":"tag-ca","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-finance","12":"tag-gobankingrates","13":"tag-lifestyle","14":"tag-personal-finance","15":"tag-personalfinance","16":"tag-retirement"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266762","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=266762"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/266762\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/266763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=266762"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=266762"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=266762"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}