Mid-morning on a sunny Thursday in north Houston, Ivy Marie Broussard steps out of the elevator wearing a green suit, matching jewelry, and glittering high-heeled sandals. She steadies herself on a cane – more accessory than necessity – and smiles easily as neighbors stop to admire her outfit.
“High heels?” she teases a reporter from a Houston TV station [1]. “You know, I still wear them.”
At 102 years old, Broussard is living the kind of retirement most people dream about. She still gets monthly manicures, cooks for her neighbors, and strolls the aisles of her local grocery store, pushing her own cart and picking out her favorite snacks. Occasionally, she giggles, even a bottle of Smirnoff.
“I get my buggy and walk around and get what I want,” she says.
Her sense of humor and independence have made her a local celebrity. But behind her sparkle and laughter lies a deeper story, one that shows how smart financial habits, self-care and community can make it possible to live well past 100 without running out of money or joy.
Born in Houston’s Fifth Ward in 1922, Broussard grew up during the Great Depression and worked for decades as both a nurse and a hair stylist. She raised two sons with her husband, who died 52 years ago, and built a reputation as the kind of person who never sat still.
Those choices — maintaining a simple lifestyle and being good with money — are exactly the kinds of behaviors that help people stay independent in old age.
A 2024 report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute [2] sent worrying signals about seniors who retire without enough savings.
“These spending constraints contribute to declining levels of well-being in retirement,” Bridget Bearden, Ph.D., research and development strategist at EBRI suggested.
Broussard’s secret isn’t necessarily a massive savings account. She’s living proof that financial stability is as much about mindset as money.
Staying independent in your later years can be empowering, but it isn’t cheap.
The average cost of an assisted living facility in Texas now runs about $5,250 per month, according to Genworth’s 2024 Cost of Care Survey [3]. Independent senior apartments, like Broussard’s, typically cost less than that, but still require steady income and advance planning.
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For most Americans, the biggest threat to independence isn’t aging, it’s inflation. Groceries, utilities, and healthcare costs continue to climb faster than Social Security benefits. The average retiree is approximately $370 short in buying power as Social Security payments haven’t kept up with inflation, according to the Senior Citizens League [4].
That’s why experts say anyone planning to live well into their 80s, 90s, or beyond needs to start building a ‘longevity budget.’
Financial planners recommend:
Prioritizing health care coverage. Even with Medicare, the average 65-year-old can expect to pay $172,500 in health care and medical expenses throughout retirement, Fidelity reports [5]. Consider supplemental coverage early.
Investing for growth, not just safety. A balanced mix of stocks and bonds can help your savings keep pace with inflation over decades.
Setting aside “fun money.” Broussard’s monthly mani-pedi and occasional casino trip aren’t extravagances, they’re investments in mental health and community, both linked to lower healthcare spending.
Broussard’s secret to a full life isn’t just financial, it’s physical and mental too. Every night, she sits with her word-search book to keep her mind sharp. She attends church, joins fashion shows, and still takes trips, like her recent three-day Amtrak journey from Houston to California. Next, she’s planning a bus ride to a Louisiana casino with friends.
Those small rituals form a blueprint for aging well, and affordably.
Keep moving. Even light daily activity helps reduce medical expenses. Studies from the National Institute on Aging show that physical activity is an important part of healthy aging [6].
Keep learning. Mental stimulation, like Broussard’s word searches, can delay cognitive decline and preserve independence longer.
Keep connecting. Her monthly nail appointments and church outings aren’t just for fun. Social interaction is tied to lower rates of depression and dementia, saving on long-term care costs later.
Keep laughing. Stress reduction plays a role in both longevity and financial decision-making. As Broussard says, “I want to look good so I might catch me a boyfriend. I’m still alive.”
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Longevity is increasing. A study by the Pew Research Center suggests the U.S. centenarian population is expected to quadruple over the next 30 years [7]. But while people are living longer, many are not financially prepared for it.
A 2024 AARP study found that 1-in-5 Americans over 50 have no retirement savings [8]. That’s a tough reality when the average retiree household spends over $50,000 a year.
To make your cash last, and your independence thrive, experts suggest:
Automate and downsize. Simplify bills, minimize housing costs, and reduce liabilities.
Delay Social Security if possible; each year you wait past 67 boosts your monthly benefit by up to 8% [9].
Invest in community. Whether it’s a senior co-op, church network, or hobby group, the right social circle can reduce isolation, and shared resources often lower costs.
At 102, Broussard embodies what most people hope for: freedom, confidence, and dignity. In heels, no less.
Her story is a reminder that financial planning isn’t about chasing luxury. It’s about giving yourself choices, even in your later years.
She laughs when asked how she keeps going. “I just keep moving,” she says. “And I keep looking good while I do it.”
That might be the most practical retirement advice of all.
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ABC 13 Eyewitness News (1; Employee Benefit Research Institute (2); Genworth’s 2024 Cost of Care Survey (3); Senior Citizens League (4); Fidelity Investments (5); NIA (6); Pew Research Centre (7); AARP (8); Social Security (9)
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