What Luxuries Would You Give Up to Retire?

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Comments

[retirementhunter]

Interestingly enough, what we consider luxuries when we are actually willing to give them up for a solid reason. The luxuries that I have given up while considered by the majority a luxury, ended up being a hidden burden.

One luxury in particular was the freezer unit I thought I needed so desperately. The luxury of having a freezer to store leftovers because I hate to waste anything became a freezer full of things I wouldn't eat unless of an emergency. I ended up merging the items in my freezer with the extra space in the freezer compartment of my refrigerator.

After I unplugged the freezer (and a few other items) I ended up saving myself a bundle on my utility bill. So, was it a luxury after all?

To achieve the goal of a joyful, happy retirement, I'm willing to give up numerous things in order to afford a good time in my upcoming golden years.

[Retired Syd]

That is hilarious! Reminds me a little of myself, my husband is often holding up a scary looking Tupperware container and saying "do you even KNOW what is in here or how LONG it's been in here?!?"

But I really like the concept that perhaps we will be giving up burdens that have disguised themselves as luxuries!

Excellent way to look at it.

Thanks for your comments,
RetiredSyd

[Minerva]

My sentiment exactly: I gave up owning real estate...though, truth be told, I considered it more of a burden than a luxury even before I retired. In a sense owning too much of anything, but particularly things immovable, like land, feels like prison - of a voluntary variety ( a bit like childrearing or marriage, lol) but nevertheless. Ok, I am a Peter Pan by heart. ;-)

[Retired Syd]

Minerva:

Ok, now that one really made me laugh--I'm with you on the childrearing part! (Not having had kids myself, I guess that was a "luxury" I gave up to retire!)

Thanks for sharing your comments.

RetiredSyd

[Cheryl]

I'm afraid I'll need to give up travel, something I want to really begin doing more of. In reality, what I think I'll need to give up is staying in nicer places.

My partner and I both want to retire somewhere warmer and dryer than Seattle (and closer to the places we want to travel to more regularly), but it's scary to think about leaving a place where she practically grew up and I've lived for over 25 years.

[Sylvia B]

Wow, this is something that I've just started to write about in my blog at . I've noticed I've already given up on buying shoes; it has my children quite worried though. I just wonder if it's irresponsible to stop consuming when the economy needs us :-)