3 Home Depot Items Retirees Should Avoid Plus the 9 Best Items To Own on Social Security

There’s something for every type of retirement budget at The Home Depot. Even if you’re on a fixed income, the home improvement megastore has products for every retiree, whether you’re weatherproofing your home or exploring new hobbies.

Take a look at the items retirees should steer clear of so they can save money and what’s worth buying if you don’t already own it. Plus, find out what to own and avoid on Social Security if you’re a Sam’s Club member.

• Price: $1,499

At nearly $1,500, the Whirlpool full-depth side-by-side refrigerator is likely to be out of pocket for retirees on Social Security. 

If you do need a new refrigerator, consider shopping for models in lower price ranges. Retirees may also consider refrigerators with smaller dimensions for added savings.

• Price: $499

There’s nothing really wrong with the Murray auger-propelled gas snow blower, per se. The nearly $500 price tag, however, is bound to give many retirees sticker shock. 

Try exploring cheaper options like the RYOBI electric snow shovel instead. This winter tool retails for $129 and is powerful enough to clear and throw snow up to 20 feet away.

• Price: $81.96

Some retirees may be surprised we’re name-dropping the True Temper poly wheelbarrow as an item to leave behind. 

Though the majority of customer reviews are positive, the wheelbarrow has an overall rating of 3.9, which is on the low side. Most one-star reviews complained that it came without some of the necessary tools for setting up (particularly handles) and was prone to breaking down quickly.

• Price: $35.88

Retirees get plenty of bang for their home improvement buck with the Apollo home tool kit. 

This comprehensive kit comes with an impressive 135 tools, including a cordless screwdriver and recharger, claw hammer, long nose pliers, adjustable wrench and a lot more. As a bonus, the cordless screwdriver comes with a one-year warranty and all other hand tools are covered by a limited lifetime warranty. 

• Price: $23.89

If your retirement plans include diving into niche projects like model railroads or miniatures where precision is required, invest in the RYOBI hobby hand tool kit.

For less than $25, you’ll receive a quick change hobby knife, blades, screwdrivers and tweezers complete with a pouch for storage.

• Price: $29.98

Level up your grillmaster skills with the bestselling Nexgrill tool set. Each set comes with sturdy and dependable stainless steel tools, including a slotted spatula, fork, tongs, four skewers and a basting brush for year-round grilling and BBQing.

• Price: $99.98

The retro appearance of Dr. Infrared Heater’s portable space heater is sure to charm many retirees while providing a much-needed break on electric bills. Each space heater is designed to heat large rooms and features a thermostat to regulate the heater and maintain its set temperature. 

• Price: $4.98

We’ve previously recommended the Everbilt hard outdoor faucet cover for retirees shopping ahead of the winter months. 

This $5 safeguard works to ensure any outdoor faucets on your property are shielded from freezing temperatures so as not to lead to cracked or burst pipes.

• Price: $6.90 – $7.32

There are plenty of benefits that come with buying Frost King foam kerf door seals. These seals work to keep your home warm and they’re easygoing on wallets. Retirees working with a $10 shopping budget can purchase seals up to 81 or 96 inches long.

• Price: $39

You’ll get plenty of year-round use out BLACK+DECKER’s electric handheld leaf blower. 

And although we’ve previously recommended many other leaf blowers to retirees, this one was chosen specifically because it’s less than $50 (and comes well-reviewed).

• Price: $12.98

What can’t you do with a Husky kneeling pad? From working with flowers in the garden to household cleaning projects, these pads help protect knees as they kneel for long stretches at a time. They’re also lightweight enough to transport around and don’t take up much room in storage.

• Price: $179

Despite its price tag, we’re sticking with our recommendation that retirees should shop for the Honeywell Home smart thermostat. 

What makes it worth investing in is the device is programmable for up to seven days. Retirees are in charge of the preferred temperature they want and the schedule. This means they can track heating and cooling use and save energy and money on bills in the process. Additional built-in features include a daily weather forecast, the ability to check humidity indoors and outdoors and air filter change reminders.

Editor’s note: Prices and availability are accurate as of Feb. 12, 2026, and are subject to change.