The recent Kiplinger article, Afraid to Dip Into Your Savings? 8 Guilt-Free Ways to Finally Enjoy Your Retirement, notes that if you've built a solid financial strategy for retirement, you've earned the right to enjoy it.

The article cites AARP research showing many older people have a bucket list trip they'd like to take. A notable share of those who don't travel cite health issues as the reason, which is a case for not waiting too long.

Multigenerational family trips are a guilt-free way to spend, since money spent on experiences and adventure tends to come with less regret than money spent on things, because memories don't have a shelf life.

Spending to maintain your health can pay for itself, because the article cites a 2025 Fidelity estimate that a 65-year-old on Medicare could spend $174,500 out of pocket on healthcare over a lifetime, up from $165,000 the year before.

Having a hobby gives retirees a sense of purpose and investing in gear, classes or new skills is worth the expense if it brings genuine joy, since experiences tend to outlast material things.

The article points to 529 college accounts as a tax-advantaged way to help family, noting individuals can gift up to $19,000 per person in 2025, or $38,000 per married couple, without reporting it to the IRS.

Zillow data cited in the article shows that homeowners can recoup a high percentage of what they spend on kitchen and bathroom remodels, all while getting to enjoy the upgraded space.

Donor-advised funds let retirees invest their charitable dollars and then recommend which causes receive the donations, offering a tax-smart way to give while staying involved in where the money goes.

Buy Back Your Time

Paying for help with chores like landscaping or deep cleaning isn't wasteful. Instead, it's a strategic investment, since time becomes your most limited and precious resource in retirement.

 

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