the 10 largest capital expenditures in retirement
TRANSCRIPT
#10: Fuel
• Avg: $1,220 per year
• To put this in perspective, this is over 60% lower than what working adults spend on gas, so it’s not that bad.
• But remember, prices won’t always be as low as they are now.
#9: Eating Out
• Avg: $1,319 per year
• Again, this is 60% lower than those in their prime.
• While many erroneously believe that retirees would go out to eat more, by the time you reach 75, cooking at home becomes the norm.
#8: Entertainment
• Avg: $1,422 per year
• This is less than half what those between 45 and 54 are spending per year.
• As with eating out, many over 75 simply prefer staying in for entertainment.
#7: Vehicle Purchase
• Avg: $1,783 per year
• The BLS calculated this by using the net outlay needed for vehicle purchases.
• As with the others, this figure is less than half of those in their prime working years.
#6: Car Maintenance
• Avg: $1,805 per year
• Though you’re driving less, you still need to pay for upkeep on your car.
• This figure is 40% lower than those in their prime working years.
#5: Cash Contributions
• Avg: $2,817 per year
• This includes money given to any organization or individual outside of your household.
• With the extra money some retirees have, this is actually an area where those over 75 have markedly higher expenses.
#4: Food at home
• Avg: $2,825 per year
• Again, this level of spending is 40% lower than when kids are living at home.
• However, on a per-person basis, this is actually 30% higher than when you have kids!
#3: Utilities
• Avg: $3,022 per year
• Fewer people at home means less energy being used, which equates to a 30% lower bill than those with children.
• However, many retirees end up heating large homes for no reason, as there are only one or two people living at home.
#2: Healthcare
• Avg: $4,910 per year
• This is the big expense many retirees worry about. Costs are 54% higher than those age 35 to 44.
• On a per-person basis, costs are a whopping 220% higher than those aged 35 to 44.
#1: Housing
• Avg: $6,882 per year
• Not everyone has paid off their mortgage—or even owns a home—in retirement.
• This figure also includes property taxes, which must be taken into consideration.
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