Senior Living News

If you're looking to conserve cash during retirement, here are several budget-friendly replacements to help you save money without feeling deprived.

1. Bear Original Mattress

Sun City and other parts of Arizona are known for their high summer temperatures, making a cooling mattress more of a need than a want, especially if you have a health condition that makes it difficult to tolerate heat. The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-LuxeBreeze costs more than $6,000, making it one of the most expensive mattresses on the market, but you don't have to spend your summers sweating through the night just to save a little money.

The Bear original mattress costs just $779 for a queen with a celliant-infused cover. Celliant is a blend of natural materials, so it keeps you much cooler than a standard mattress. Bear's original mattress is also made from memory foam, which molds to your body, eliminating excess pressure. For some seniors, sleeping on a softer surface reduces the pain associated with arthritis and other mobility issues.

2. Starbucks K-Cup® Pods

An occasional visit to Starbucks probably won't break the bank, but if you buy coffee every day, you may end up paying more than $100 per month for your favorite beverage. The good news is that you don't have to give up your favorite brew. Instead of visiting your local Starbucks, purchase recyclable K-Cup pods.

K-Cups work with the Keurig home brewing system, making it possible to enjoy flavorful beverages at a fraction of the cost. For example, a 60-pack of Starbucks medium-roast iced coffee blend costs $56.99 on Amazon, making the price per cup just 95 cents. You'd pay several dollars per serving in the store, making this an easy money-saving tip.

3. Library Books

If you're an avid reader, it's easy to spend big bucks on books, especially if you like to buy new releases as soon as they come out. Even if you find e-books on sale for $1.99 or $2.99 each, those costs add up quickly, leaving you with less money for your other expenses.

Instead of buying books, sign up for a library card. Many public libraries allow patrons to borrow e-books via Libby and Overdrive, eliminating the need to visit a branch every time you want to read something new. As an added bonus, you can return library books when you finish reading them, making it easier to manage the clutter in your home. Some libraries even have cake pans, museum passes and other items available to borrow, reducing your expenses even more.

4. Copycat Restaurant Meals

Dining out is fun, but the costs add up quickly. Fortunately, you don't need to attend culinary school to make restaurant-worthy meals at home. You just need high-quality ingredients and some basic cooking supplies. For example, a steakhouse is likely to charge at least $50 for a boneless ribeye. It could be another $10 for a side dish, bringing the cost of your meal to a minimum of $60 before tax and tip.

Warehouse stores sell packages of boneless ribeye for about $15 per pound. You can also get two large baking potatoes for just a few dollars. Add butter, garlic and herbs, and you have a meal large enough for at least two people. The cost? Less than $40 — and you'll probably have leftovers. You can do the same thing with dishes like shrimp scampi, chicken marsala and fettuccine Alfredo.

5. Inexpensive Herbs and Spices

If you've been paying $4 or $5 per container for your favorite herbs and spices, we have some good news for you. Walmart, Dollar Tree and other discount stores sell basic herbs and spices for as little as $1 per container. The next time you need garlic powder, oregano, basil, cayenne pepper or Italian herbs, head to your nearest discount store instead of shopping at a local specialty store.

6. Affordable Cosmetics

Cosmetics go directly on your skin, so we don't blame you for wanting to avoid some of the cheapest brands. After all, you need to know that you're not applying harmful chemicals or irritating ingredients. However, there's no need to spend $30 or more for mascara, eye shadow or lip gloss.

Drugstores carry several high-quality brands, including Maybelline, L'Oreal and Rimmel. If you don't want to give up your favorite brand, try replacing just one or two items with a cheaper dupe. This makes it easier to balance your financial needs with your desire for high-end cosmetics.

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