![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/iStock-950996172-e1721941115529.jpg\")
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Commitment to Our Readers<\/p>\n
GOBankingRates’ editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services – our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines<\/a> and our products and services review methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n 20 Years Trusted by Robert and Sue lived frugally and set aside a high saving rate in their working years, allowing them to retire comfortably with two homes. The couple said they worked hard to paid everything off so they could finally just enjoy life.<\/p>\n So what does their monthly budget look like<\/a> and how might yours differ as you explore a snowbird retirement lifestyle<\/a>?<\/p>\n Robert and Sue\u2019s Monthly Budget<\/p>\n The couple works with financial advisor<\/a> Ben Lies, president of Delphi Advisors<\/a>. They shared their monthly budget below, asking to remain anonymous.<\/p>\n Primary Home Mortgage Two-thirds of their budget<\/a> ($5,100) is discretionary. They spend just $2,558 on structural living expenses.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAmong my clients, I see three types of snowbirds. First, you have folks like Robert and Sue who keep their expenses low and their lifetime of frugality allows them to maintain two houses and travel often,\u201d Lies said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThen you have the ultra wealthy who do not worry about cost and the second home serves as a tax have,\u201d Lies added. \u201cThe third type have similar wealth as Bob and Sue but carry mortgage debt on the homes and either continue working, spend less or risk running out of money.\u201d<\/p>\n So how might other retired snowbirds budget differently, especially if they have mortgage debt<\/a>?<\/p>\n Snowbird Budget Variations<\/p>\n The average U.S. home costs $357,275 according to Zillow<\/a>. Imagine a retired couple owns two homes, each costing the average home price and each bought with a 20% down payment at 6% fixed interest<\/a>. They\u2019d pay $1,714 a month per property, adding $3,428 to their monthly living expenses<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Robert and Sue could cover that from their discretionary spending, simply cutting back to $1,672. But that\u2019s less fun.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.gobankingrates.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/icon-20.svg?webp=1&quality=75\"){kind=icon}
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Millions of Readers<\/p>\n
\n$0
\nPrimary Home Taxes and insurance
\n$584
\nPrimary Home Utilities
\n$210
\nSecondary Home Mortgage
\n$0
\nSecondary Home Taxes and Insurance
\n$334
\nSecondary Home Utilities
\n$165
\nSecondary Home HOA
\n$135
\nAuto Loans
\n$0
\nAuto Insurance
\n$275
\nGas
\n$175
\nGroceries
\n$500
\nCell Phones
\n$180
\nTravel
\n$1,000
\nEntertainment, Subscriptions, Eating Out
\n$1,350
\nClothes, Shopping, Grandkids, Misc.
\n$2,750
\nTotal Monthly Expenses
\n$7,658<\/p>\n