Retirement Often Means Sticking to a Budget
So you’ve retired, but you’re budget-conscious. Good choice! However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t little things you can buy to treat yourself every now and again. We’ve created a list of 35 of the best things to buy now that you’re no longer working. Some help you in old age and some will help you feel young again!
An Indoor Herb Garden Kit
Even if you don’t have a backyard, you can still grow herbs. A little herb garden on your windowsill means fresh basil, parsley, or mint at your fingertips whenever you feel like cooking, and it makes the room look more attractive as well.
A Bird Feeder
Retirement often means slowing down and enjoying nature, and watching birds from your porch or window is very peaceful. An inexpensive bird feeder will draw in beautiful birds and make your garden more attractive.
A Kindle or E-Reader
Love reading but tired of stacks of books all over your house? That’s why you need a Kindle or similar e-reader. You can put hundreds of books on those devices, so you always have something to read. You can also make the font size bigger if you have poor vision.
A Slow Cooker
Cooking for yourself (or however many people are in your household) gets easier with a small slow cooker. Toss in a few ingredients in the morning and that’s it! They’re especially good if you like soups or stews without having to do loads of cleanup afterwards.
A Digital Picture Frame
Missing loved ones? A digital picture frame can cycle through dozens – or sometimes hundreds - of your favorite family photos. It’s a modern way to surround yourself with memories without needing to clutter the walls or buy lots of expensive photo albums.
A Good Pair of Slippers
When you're home more often, comfy slippers feel less like a luxury and more like a necessity. After all, they’re invaluable for cold winter mornings. You don’t have to buy an overly expensive pair, just a nice, machine washable set that will help you relax.
Jigsaw Puzzles
You may be retired, but you still want to challenge your brain, and jigsaw puzzles are the perfect way to do that. It’s a relaxing way to pass time and improve focus, and you can even invite others to join in if you like. Having a few puzzles on hand also gives you something to reach for that isn’t a computer screen.
A Soft Throw Blanket
These things are utterly invaluable in the winter. The warmth and softness make everything feel a bit more luxurious, and it's perfect for curling up with a book or movie. Bonus points if you can knit the blanket yourself, or get someone else to knit it for you!
A Travel Mug
In the winter, you’re going to need something that keeps your drinks hot, and having a travel mug is one of those small luxuries that make everyday routines out and about more enjoyable. Look for a brand new one that’s easy to clean, fits your hand well, and doesn’t leak.
A Puzzle Book
Doing puzzles every day is thought to improve your brain and reduce the risk of dementia. Why not subscribe to a service that sends you a new puzzle book every week or month? It’s something to do that doesn’t involve staring at a screen all the time.
Adult Coloring Books
Adult coloring books aren’t just a trend, they’re a great way to express creativity and reduce stress. Even if you haven’t drawn since childhood, there’s something very rewarding about adding color to black-and-white patterns or scenes.
A Lightweight Folding Chair
A good folding chair lets you sit comfortably wherever the fancy takes you. Look for one with a cup holder and carrying strap - it’s great for watching grandkids' games or just relaxing in the sun, and then you can pick it up and go to the next place.
Travel-Sized Games
Are you travelling with your family? Do you want them to stop being on their phones all the time? Then a set of travel games is all you need. You can play dominoes, cards, chess – all things that engage the brain, and thus reduce the risk of dementia in the future.
A Gratitude Journal
Retirement is a great time to reflect on your blessings, and a gratitude journal gives you the space to write down the little things that bring you joy each day. Just jotting down three things you're thankful for can shift your whole mindset and improve your mental health.
Blue Light Glasses
Even in retirement, we spend time on screens - phones, tablets, TVs, they all add up. Blue light glasses can ease eye strain and help with sleep by filtering out the bad stuff. You don’t even need a prescription to get them, so treat yourself to a pair today.
A Cozy Bathrobe
There’s something undeniably comforting about wrapping yourself in a bathrobe first thing in the morning, or after a warm bath. It’s like wearing a hug! Go shopping for a nice warm bathrobe and don’t be afraid to spend a little more money on this one, a good bathrobe can last you a lifetime.
Reusable Food Storage Containers
If you like to cook (or even if you don’t) you should invest in a good set of food storage containers. They’re perfect for putting leftovers or pantry items in. Buy glass or plastic, it doesn’t matter, as long as they’re reusable.
Noise-Canceling Headphones
When you get older, everything seems to get so much louder. So maybe what you need is a good pair of noise-cancelling headphones or earbuds. Use them while sitting outside or in a noisy café, and you’d be surprised at how much difference it makes.
A Daily Desk Calendar With Facts or Jokes
People don’t use desk calendars much since smartphones came into the picture, but they still exist and you should get one. It may not seem like much, but reading a joke on your desk calendar in the morning can cheer you up for the rest of the day.
A Heated Blanket
As people get older, they start to feel the cold more, especially when winter rolls around. But you can fix some of that by getting a heated blanket. Simply get under it when you feel too cold and enjoy luxuriating in bliss.
A Personal Fan
And on the other side of the spectrum, it’s easy to get too hot in the summer, as well. What you need is a small personal fan you can carry around with you. Luckily, those things are really cheap and easy to get hold of. Keep one in your pocket or car when you go out in the summer.
A Jigsaw Puzzle Mat
Remember how we already talked about jigsaws? If you’re going to get seriously into them, you need a jigsaw puzzle mat as well. You can start a puzzle, roll it up mid-project, and unroll it whenever you’re ready to continue.
A Foot Spa
If you’re on your feet a lot during the day, then a foot spa is just what the doctor ordered. It feels absolutely amazing to put your feet in one after a long day. Foot spas are more expensive than some of the things on this list, but you might be able to bag a bargain at your local store.
Silicone Baking Mats
If you do a lot of baking, silicone is what you need. They replace parchment paper or foil and make cleaning up after cooking a hundred times easier, plus they’re reusable, dishwasher-safe, and eco-friendly. Cookies slid right off them, so you can eat them faster!
Garden Gloves
Many older people end up spending a lot of time in the garden once they retire. If that’s you, hold on a minute, because you’re going to need a good pair of garden gloves first. They protect your hands from dirt, thorns, and rough edges, while offering a nice grip on those weeds you’re pulling up.
Kitchen Towels
Even if you don’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you’re going to need kitchen towels. They can be used for wiping up spills, getting hot pans out of the oven, all sorts of things. Buy some nicely colored ones that match your kitchen décor, or ones with funny jokes on them.
A Back Scrubber or Shower Brush
Let’s be honest - reaching your back doesn’t get any easier with age. The opposite, in fact. But a good shower brush or long-handled scrubber makes bath time feel more luxurious and less awkward. It’s a tiny thing to buy but it can have such a big impact.
A Lap Desk
Do your muscles ache every time you sit down at a desk? Then you need a lap desk. It turns your bed or couch into an instant desk, meaning you can stay lying down! Don’t lie down too much, though – you need to get up and stretch your muscles from time to time.
A Night Light
When you get up in the middle of night (and people do this more as they grow older) you’re going to need something to light the way. Why not purchase a decorative night light? They’re not just for kids, they’re for adults too.
A Reusable Water Bottle
Plastic bottles are terrible. They’re expensive and they’re bad for the environment, and really you should be avoiding them at all costs. So you should get a reusable water bottle instead! Simply fill it from the tap every time you decide to go out in the sun.
A Wind Chime
People don’t think much about wind chimes, but they’re amazing items. They can make a neglected garden or porch look more attractive, and whenever the wind blows you’re treated to the gentle sound of chimes. And they’re not expensive, either!
A Notebook
If you have a lot of creative ideas in you that are dying to get out, you should buy a nice notebook. Then whenever a thought comes into your head, you can give it life on the page. Don’t forget to buy some matching pens as well!
Scented Candles
Lighting a candle at the end of the day instantly creates a calm, cozy atmosphere that both you and your family will love. And they’re really cheap, as well! Buy plenty of different scents and see which ones you like best.
Lightweight Walking Shoes
Walking is one of the best daily habits in retirement, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes makes all the difference when you go out. Look for lightweight, breathable options with good cushioning and don’t worry, they won’t cost the earth.
A Streaming Subscription
Screens are fine in moderation, so why not treat yourself to a streaming service? Netflix for example has a lot of good original shows that old and young alike can enjoy. Shop around and make a streaming service decision based on what you most enjoy watching.
