7 Smart Seasonal Shopping Hacks for Retirees To Save Money
Written by
Caitlyn Moorhead
Edited by
Gary Dudak
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Stretching a fixed income can be tricky, especially around the holidays or during seasonal sales. While post-holiday and end-of-season clearance events are well-known money-savers, there are several lesser-known strategies retirees can use to save even more.
From timing your purchases to knowing how retailers operate, these seven tips can help you cut costs without cutting into your retirement savings.
Stock Up on Neutral Wrapping Paper
Many retailers hold huge sales to get rid of all their holiday wrapping paper — even rolls that don’t have obvious holiday patterns. It may just be the wrapping, along with the thought, that counts for your family members anyhow.
For example, you could buy rolls of solid red wrapping paper that you can use to wrap Valentine’s Day, anniversary, wedding and birthday presents. Little money moves like this throughout the year can help you more quickly achieve both your short-term and long-term financial goals.
Buy Reusable Items (Like Artificial Christmas Trees)
On average, a live tree typically costs between $80 to $100, while the average artificial tree comes in around $100. You don’t have to be a financial planner to understand that going with a real tree every year could put a ding in your budget that’s already stretched thin around the holidays.
By buying a reusable tree, you save money by your second Christmas. And that says nothing of the risk of future price hikes, inflation, tariffs or time spent driving around to various tree lots. A well-decorated and brightly lit reusable tree looks just as good on social media for all those to see as one you have to replace each year.
This goes for other holidays, too. Buy seasonal items that you can reuse year after year to “compound your return” on the purchase. Just make sure you don’t buy more than you can store.
Buy Classic, Not Trendy
This year’s “hot trend” is next year’s passé — so don’t get suckered into a fad purchase. You know what is always in style? Having an emergency fund that can cover three to six months’ worth of expenses should you experience a financial setback.
If you want to actually reuse those technically reusable items you buy, make sure you buy timeliness, classic items that won’t go stale by next year.
Get Creative With What You Already Own
My grandparents used to decorate an indoor potted tree each year at the holidays. They managed to skip even the initial artificial tree expense and create a quirky conversation piece for guests in the process.
Inventory the items you already own, and think outside the box in repurposing them for any holiday of the year.
Make Your Own Seasonal Decor
Who says you need — or even want — fancy store-bought decorations? DIY is always a savvy move to save a lot while making it look like you spent a lot.
As a fun and frugal project with your grandkids, make your own seasonal decorations. From Halloween to Thanksgiving to the winter holidays, Easter and beyond, do a craft project with the kids. It will not only entertain them, but you’ll save money while they make sweet memories of you.
Buy Used Seasonal Items
Sure, you could go to the mall or Amazon to buy new seasonal items. Or you could save 50% to 80% by buying used.
Keep an eye out when perusing garage sales for seasonal decor or clothes. Scope out Facebook Marketplace or thrift shops for hidden gems. You can feel great about saving money — and sparing the environment from new manufacturing and shipping.
Put Those Rewards To Use
If you rack up more credit card rewards than you can use, consider giving trips as gifts (to people you reallylove). You can also earn reward points from the other side. Some credit cards offer reward multipliers for grocery purchases. You could buy gift cards at the grocery store to give as holiday gifts and pocket the points to finance your next trip.
Or, you could even buy Amazon or Target gift cards at the grocery store for the reward points — and spend the gift card yourself on seasonal purchases. Tis the season to get creative.
G. Brian Davis contributed to the reporting for this article.
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