15 Small Luxuries Retirees Can Still Afford on a Fixed Income
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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A fixed income doesn’t mean giving up everything that brings joy.
Small luxuries can improve daily life in retirement without sending you straight to collections. These fabulous treats deliver outsize happiness relative to their costs. Go ahead, treat yourself!
A Better Cup of Coffee
Listen, retirement is when coffee gets fun. It’s no longer a necessity to simply make it through the day; it’s now a treat to savor. The TRU automatic pour over coffee maker costs $89.99 and perfectly replicates hand-poured craft coffee. The digital touch control lets you select brew temperature, and the planetary motion water spout wets grounds and pauses at the precise moment to allow blooming. A perfect cup of coffee every day.
And before you brew the coffee, run your water through a water filter like the Dreo RO water filter, which transforms tap water into pure, clean water for better-tasting java. The seven-stage reverse osmosis filtration system removes impurities that can affect coffee flavor. For $169.99, it’s a small luxury that’ll keep you healthy and start your day off on the right foot.
Writing Letters That Matter
Whether it’s to your grandkids or to your senator, it’s always great to sit down and take the time to put pen to paper. Elevate the experience with the Uni-ball rollerball pens for $3.09 each. The ink pens deliver crisp precise lines with blue-black ink that has rich color for excellent readability.
And for those who are looking for paper to write on, Etsy has so many gorgeous, unique prints to choose from, like this wildflower note set for $14.99 — whimsical, gorgeous and affordable.
A Pop of Color
Retirement means getting adventurous with makeup looks. You’re no longer beholden to black and browns only; it’s the time to experiment with color. Enter ColourPop’s Slays of the Week mascara set, which includes seven fun, gorgeous shades, for $56.
And who knows beauty better than Ms. Dolly Parton? Her Dolly Beauty’s Cream & Sugar trio just dropped to $42 from $52 and includes a smoky brown eye pencil, brown sugar mascara and mocha cream lipstick for a lovely, low-effort (this is retirement, after all!) everyday look.
Retirees will also love the Outset’s lip oasis Resort Collection colors for $28 each. They’re like vacations in a tube. Skinny Dip is a nude shimmer with pineapple yuzu, Daiquiri is a playful pink with dragonfruit and Bonfire is a warm brown with toasted marshmallow. These go on like a dream and stay put.
If you prefer the color on your nails, check out Mooncat’s Lunar New Year nail polish collection, which ranges from $15 to $18 per bottle. Jasmine Dragon is a bright orange magnetic lacquer. The Arsonist delivers deep red with shimmer. Fake Halo provides rose gold holographic shine. Invite your kids (and grandkids!) over and do their nails too!
Skin That Glows
Retirement is the perfect time to start taking skin care seriously. This La Roche-Posay moisturizer with ceramide is the best of the best. There’s a reason it has nearly 3,000 reviews averaging 4.4 stars. It provides hydration without heavy texture for just $24.99.
And don’t forget the sunscreen! SunPlus sun protection lotion is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that defends against UVA and UVB rays while combating pollutants and signs of premature aging. The vegan and cruelty-free formula contains no nano-particles or harmful chemicals. For just $26, you can slather it on and enjoy the great outdoors.
But wait, before you head out, throw on some FarmHouse skin-perfecting serum, which costs $42. It delivers a bare-skin-but-better glow while targeting wrinkles with peptides, retinol and vitamin C. One 52-year-old customer wrote, “Easy application with a light feel and good coverage which is what I am looking for. I … do not like wearing foundation — this serum is a go-to for me.”
Bath and Body Luxuries
Time to pamper yourself in the bath! The Napa Soap Company blends wine country with wellness using eco-friendly, locally sourced ingredients. Each specialty bar contains cold-pressed grapeseed oil, a natural byproduct of Napa’s wine industry known for skin-loving therapeutic benefits.
And when you get out? Slather yourself in Erleia’s lotion bar. The $20 solid hand and body moisturizer locks in hydration with plant-based formula. One reviewer said, “I absolutely love the unscented lotion bar, it keeps my skin so smooth and hydrated in the cold and dry New England winter.”
Sweet Treats
What would retirement be without a sweet treat? Check out the Sprinkles sugar-free red velvet cupcake pudding, which is just $1.50 at Dollar Tree. The dessert treat works in cakes, pies or popsicles.
Or if you want to spend a little more (and skip the mixing!), you can get the famous Levain cookies delivered right to your door via Goldbelly for $32.95. They’re dense in the best way and the perfect way to celebrate the fact that you’re retired.
Editor’s note: Pricing and availability may vary depending on location.
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