GOBankingRates works with many financial advertisers to showcase their products and services to our audiences.
These brands compensate us to advertise their products in ads across our site.
This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site.
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information.
you could read more about oureditorial guidelinesand our products and servicesreview methodology.
Live and learn, I guess!
With the benefit of hindsight, here areseven costs Bob wishes he had slashed to achieve an earlier retirement.
He kept his premium channels and expensive bundles until cutting the cord five years ago.
I could have saved thousands by streaming earlier.
Although I guess thats getting more expensive, too.
For now, Im watching a lot of Pluto TV thats free!
The convenience of takeout was a money trap, he said.
He estimated spending upward of $500 per month on restaurant meals during his working years.
For decades, he held memberships at multiple gyms and studios, rationalizing it by occasionally attending classes.
I certainly had more money than sense when it came to brand loyalty, he said.
Switching to store brands didnt happen until his 70s.
Why did it take so long to realizemost generic productsperform just fine?
Annual Subscriptions
Like many people, Bob paid for subscriptions every year that he hardly used.
He wishes he had taken a harder look at paring down those recurring costs far sooner.
Once you get used to a certain lifestyle, it can be hard to cut back, he said.
My biggest regretis not having the discipline to rein in my expenses while I was still young.
Thankfully, Bobs Social Security and modest retirement savings cover his needs.
I may not be wealthy, but I do alright, he said.
Though retiring before my 80s wouldnt have been the worst thing in the world!
For our full Privacy Policy,click here.
