The author describes how they and their spouse, Karen, have avoided inflation anxiety in retirement through strategic planning and frugal habits. Their financial planner, Michael, confirms their conservatively invested short-term funds and long-term stock holdings should sustain them, stating there is a "100%" chance they won't run out of money if spending patterns hold. Key tactics include abstaining from impulse purchases — skipping a pricey latte at O'Hare Airport — and downsizing possessions.
They eliminated car ownership in 2020, relying on bicycles, buses, and occasional rentals, avoiding fuel, maintenance, and insurance inflation. Travel costs are offset by decades of hoarded frequent-flier miles, funding 22 flights in 2026. Recreation focuses on free parks, ocean visits, and low-cost tandem bicycle camping.
They dine out half as often, boycott restaurants with automatic 20% gratuities, and prefer home cooking. The author handles repairs personally, fixing appliances and bikes to counter rising labor costs. They've also stopped attending San Francisco Giants games due to high costs.
These habits echo their early marriage years of living like "poor newlyweds," where frugality built the savings now buffering their retirement.
Source: Wall Street Journal Markets · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing