4 Little Luxuries Retirees Should Avoid Buying During the Holidays
Written by
Josephine Nesbit
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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The holiday season is the time of year to indulge a little, but if you’re a retiree living on a limited income, there are some luxurious items you should stop purchasing.
This doesn’t mean you should outright avoid small indulgences. By waiting for post-holiday discounts, retirees can save some cash without making sacrifices.
Below, you’ll find a list of four little luxuries retirees should avoid buying during the holidays.
Holiday Decor
Items like ornaments, lights and other festive decorations always cost more leading up to the holidays. However, they typically go on clearance immediately after the holiday season.
According to The Krazy Coupon Lady, stores want to get rid of everything once Christmas is over. Some will even mark holiday decorations down by 50% to 90%.
In fact, the average discount during after-Christmas sales is higher than during Black Friday and Prime Day.
Food Delivery
Delivery apps are convenient, especially during the holidays when you’re burnt out from cooking and shopping, but the fees, tips and markups add up quickly.
Even fast food will set you back $15 to $20 or more to get a $10 meal delivered instead of purchasing it in person. That doesn’t include a tip for the delivery driver.
Gift Sets
Gift sets and gift cards are always the go-to for last-minute shoppers. If you’re planning to simplify your holiday shopping and purchase gift baskets instead, it’ll cost you.
Prepackaged beauty, skincare or gourmet food gift sets usually cost more than they would if you bought the same items individually and put the gift basket together yourself.
According to GiftBasketBusiness.com, a common pricing strategy for premade gift baskets is to double the total of each item and add a certain percentage to the cost.
Travel and Vacation Packages
Travel may be a bit more than a “little” luxury, but it’s a top priority for the 50-plus population, according to the AARP 2024 Travel Trends report.
Travelers 50 and older expected to spend $6,659 on average in 2024, while travelers aged 70 and older planned to spend $6,987 on travel.
If you want to save money, avoid traveling around the holidays, which are notoriously the most expensive time of the year to travel. Stay on the lookout for deals, and try to travel during the off-peak or shoulder season.
Editor’s note: Prices are accurate as of Dec. 23, 2024. Prices and availability may vary by location.
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