Cheap living in retirement brings up thoughts about doing without…eating dog food, ugh…and other unpleasant thoughts. It does not have to be like that at all. It can be a lot of fun to be frugal.
The current economic mess is causing all of us to rethink our plans for the future, especially those retired or thinking about retirement. We have seen big hits to our investment accounts…some are saying “I can’t afford to retire now”…Really?
Have you considered lifestyles that are cheaper but also fun? How about living in a park model mobile home? You can do it year round or be seasonal.
First how is it frugal? You can buy a nice used park model for $15,000 to $20,000 (that’s furnished as well). You can buy a new unit for $25,000 and up. Try and buy a stick built house for that kind of money and you are looking at a dog house…for a small dog.
How is park model mobile home living a fun lifestyle? We live in the Phoenix area an hour drive from park model mobile home central…Mesa, Arizona. In Mesa, you have several communities to choose from. Some have a hundred units or so; some are well over 2,000 units. Some have their own golf course.
The list of activities that they offer is as long as your arm. The clubhouses and craft rooms resemble summer camps for those 55 and older. The residents have so much fun; the only stress is choosing what activity they will do today.
Cheap living in retirement can be both fun and frugal. Do not give up on retirement until you explore all the options. You may discover that living in a park model mobile home is more fun than you can imagine…all at a price that anyone can afford. Enjoy.