Extreme Saving Method Speeds Up Early Retirement Option – AARP

When Nicole Gosz and her husband started following FIRE, “we focused on living on as little as we could,” she says. She spent $12 in one year on makeup, for example — beauty e-tailer SkinStore reports the average woman spends $8 per day on makeup — “and I coupon and layer that on top of sales.” She says she and her husband eat 90 percent of their meals at home.

And that’s not even the hard part. Retiring early from a full-time job means having to buy health insurance, the cost of which goes up with age, and living without the safety net of Social Security, which can’t be claimed until age 62.

Flowers & Gifts

Flowers by FTD

25% off sitewide and 30% off select items

See more Flowers & Gifts offers >

{“hideCategory”:false,”useAlternateLanguage”:false,”headlineIconAltText”:””,”listItems”:[{“categoryTitle”:”Flowers u0026 Gifts”,”categoryUrl”:”/membership/benefits/shopping/flower-gifts/”,”categoryDeeplinkParam”:”shoppingandgroceries-flowersandgifts”,”isLimitedTimeOffer”:false,”offerJson”:{“dbr_offer_id”:”66720d4f8e4accb656bd3fefc8b6260a”,”source_name”:”Flowers by FTD”,”offer_title”:”25% Off Flowers”,”offer_description”:”u003cpu003eAARP members automatically save 25% sitewide on flowers and 30% on select items with promo code AARP30. No minimum purchase amount is required. Same-day delivery is available by local florists.u003c/pu003e”,”offer_short_description”:”25% off sitewide and 30% off select items”,”category_list”:”shoppingandgroceries”,”subcategory_list”:”shoppingandgroceries-flowersandgifts”,”tags”:[{“tagID”:”dbr:shoppingandgroceries”,”title”:”Shopping u0026 Groceries”,”name”:”shoppingandgroceries”,”deeplink_url”:”/membership/benefits/shopping/”,”deeplink_param_value”:”shoppingandgroceries”,”get_offers_url”:”/etc/aarp/dbr/ws.api/offers/shoppingandgroceries.json”,”sub_tags”:[{“tagID”:”dbr:shoppingandgroceries/flowersandgifts”,”title”:”Flowers u0026 Gifts”,”name”:”flowersandgifts”,”deeplink_url”:”/membership/benefits/shopping/flower-gifts/”,”deeplink_param_value”:”shoppingandgroceries-flowersandgifts”,”get_offers_url”:”/etc/aarp/dbr/ws.api/offers/shoppingandgroceries-flowersandgifts.json”}]}],”vertical_image_url”:”/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ftd/258×334-ftd-flowers-jan-2023.jpg”,”image_url”:”/content/dam/aarp/benefits_discounts/providers/ftd/1140×641-ftd-flowers-jan-2023.jpg”,”advertisement_flag”:””,”advertisement_sort_order”:””,”merchant_phone”:”1-833-814-AARP (2277) “,”merchant_phone_label”:”or, call FTD at”,”howto_redeem”:”Learn More”,”howto_redeem_url”:”https://www.ftd.com/aarp”,”howto_redeem_expired”:”Renew to Learn More”,”howto_redeem_expired_link”:”https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew”,”howto_redeem_non_member”:”Join to Learn More”,”howto_redeem_non_member_link”:”https://secure.aarp.org/applications/membershipChallenge/showChallengeForm.action?appNameu003daccount”,”howto_redeem_anonymous”:”Join to Learn More”,”howto_redeem_anonymous_link”:”https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignidu003dUASMBP1u0026intcmpu003dEWHERE-MBCHAE-LP-MMA-JOIN”,”howto_redeem_desc”:”The 25% discount is applied automatically. Enter promo code AARP30 to save 30% on select items.”,”member_exclusive_flag”:”no”,”offer_type”:”EverGreen”,”hideLeavingAARP”:””,”…….</p> <p><b>Source:</b> <a rel="nofollow noopener" href="https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFhcnAub3JnL21vbmV5L2ludmVzdGluZy9pbmZvLTIwMjMvaG93LXRvLWFjaGlldmUtZmluYW5jaWFsLWluZGVwZW5kZW5jZS1lYXJseS1yZXRpcmVtZW50Lmh0bWzSAQA?oc=5" target="_blank">https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFhcnAub3JnL21vbmV5L2ludmVzdGluZy9pbmZvLTIwMjMvaG93LXRvLWFjaGlldmUtZmluYW5jaWFsLWluZGVwZW5kZW5jZS1lYXJseS1yZXRpcmVtZW50Lmh0bWzSAQA?oc=5</a></p> </div> </div> <span class="cat-links"> <svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0.0 0 1879.0 2048" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1879,1080c0,20.667-10.333,42.667-31,66l-336,396c-28.667,34-68.833,62.833-120.5,86.5S1292,1664,1248,1664H160 c-22.667,0-42.833-4.333-60.5-13S73,1628,73,1608c0-20.667,10.333-42.667,31-66l336-396c28.667-34,68.833-62.833,120.5-86.5 S660,1024,704,1024h1088c22.667,0,42.833,4.333,60.5,13S1879,1060,1879,1080z M1536,736v160H704c-62.667,0-128.333,15.833-197,47.5 S383.667,1015,343,1063L6,1459l-5,6c0-2.667-0.167-6.833-0.5-12.5S0,1442.667,0,1440V480c0-61.333,22-114,66-158s96.667-66,158-66 h320c61.333,0,114,22,158,66s66,96.667,66,158v32h544c61.333,0,114,22,158,66S1536,674.667,1536,736z" /></svg><a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com" rel="category tag">Financial independence</a> </span> <span class="tag-links"> <svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="0 0 1792 1792" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M384 448q0-53-37.5-90.5t-90.5-37.5-90.5 37.5-37.5 90.5 37.5 90.5 90.5 37.5 90.5-37.5 37.5-90.5zm1067 576q0 53-37 90l-491 492q-39 37-91 37-53 0-90-37l-715-716q-38-37-64.5-101t-26.5-117v-416q0-52 38-90t90-38h416q53 0 117 26.5t102 64.5l715 714q37 39 37 91zm384 0q0 53-37 90l-491 492q-39 37-91 37-36 0-59-14t-53-45l470-470q37-37 37-90 0-52-37-91l-715-714q-38-38-102-64.5t-117-26.5h224q53 0 117 26.5t102 64.5l715 714q37 39 37 91z"></path></svg><span class="screen-reader-text">Tags:</span><a href="https://tengruipharm.com/tag/rss-feeds/" rel="tag">RSS Feeds</a> </span> </article> <nav class="navigation post-navigation" aria-label="Posts"> <h2 class="screen-reader-text">Post navigation</h2> <div class="nav-links"><div class="nav-previous"><a href="https://housing-market.tengruipharm.com/sf-home-prices-fell-more-than-anywhere-else-in-us-last-month-sfgate-3/" rel="prev"><span class="nav-title"><span class="screen-reader-text">Previous Post:</span> SF home prices fell more than anywhere else in US last month – SFGATE</span></a></div><div class="nav-next"><a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/mammoth-finance-launches-financial-independence-course-to-address-the-growing-need-for-financial-literacy-yahoo-finance-129/" rel="next"><span class="nav-title"><span class="screen-reader-text">Next Post:</span> Mammoth Finance Launches Financial Independence Course to Address the Growing Need for Financial Literacy – Yahoo Finance</span></a></div></div> </nav> <div class="pb-related-posts"> <h2 class="pb-related-posts-title">Related Posts</h2> <div class="glide carousel-posts carousel-related-posts"> <div class="glide__track" data-glide-el="track"> <ul class="glide__slides"> <li class="glide__slide"> <div class="carousel-post-image-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/life-after-financial-independence-the-white-coat-investor-46/" class="carousel-post-image-link"> <img width="640" height="427" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGrAQAAAAB4NRvmAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAA4SURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U/tbQegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4AyHGwABJ2xdRQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image lazyload" alt="npressfetimg-24585.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/npressfetimg-24585.png" data-srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/npressfetimg-24585.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/npressfetimg-24585-300x200.png 300w" data-sizes="auto" /><noscript><img width="640" height="427" src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/npressfetimg-24585.png" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image" alt="npressfetimg-24585.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/npressfetimg-24585.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/npressfetimg-24585-300x200.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-eio="l" /></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="carousel-post-title-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/life-after-financial-independence-the-white-coat-investor-46/" class="carousel-post-title-link">Life After Financial Independence – The White Coat Investor</a> <a class="carousel-post-taxonomy-link" href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com">Financial independence</a> </div> </li> <li class="glide__slide"> <div class="carousel-post-image-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/investing-advice-for-2023-why-it-will-be-one-of-the-greatest-years-business-insider-144/" class="carousel-post-image-link"> <img width="640" height="384" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGAAQAAAAAVXu4TAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAA1SURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tDQ+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAvgx5gAABdeIUWQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image lazyload" alt="npressfetimg-1831.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-1831.png" data-srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-1831.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-1831-300x180.png 300w" data-sizes="auto" /><noscript><img width="640" height="384" src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-1831.png" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image" alt="npressfetimg-1831.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-1831.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-1831-300x180.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-eio="l" /></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="carousel-post-title-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/investing-advice-for-2023-why-it-will-be-one-of-the-greatest-years-business-insider-144/" class="carousel-post-title-link">Investing Advice for 2023, Why It Will Be ‘One of the Greatest Years’ – Business Insider</a> <a class="carousel-post-taxonomy-link" href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com">Financial independence</a> </div> </li> <li class="glide__slide"> <div class="carousel-post-image-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/area-experts-offer-tips-for-financial-independence-yahoo-news-59/" class="carousel-post-image-link"> <img width="640" height="421" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGlAQAAAABCP3qWAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAA4SURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U9tBn+gAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADgOFNQABaP8r1QAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image lazyload" alt="npressfetimg-13871.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-13871.png" data-srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-13871.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-13871-300x197.png 300w" data-sizes="auto" /><noscript><img width="640" height="421" src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-13871.png" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image" alt="npressfetimg-13871.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-13871.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-13871-300x197.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-eio="l" /></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="carousel-post-title-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/area-experts-offer-tips-for-financial-independence-yahoo-news-59/" class="carousel-post-title-link">Area experts offer tips for financial independence – Yahoo News</a> <a class="carousel-post-taxonomy-link" href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com">Financial independence</a> </div> </li> <li class="glide__slide"> <div class="carousel-post-image-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/extreme-saving-method-speeds-up-early-retirement-option-aarp-214/" class="carousel-post-image-link"> <img width="640" height="427" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGrAQAAAAB4NRvmAAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAA4SURBVHja7cExAQAAAMKg9U/tbQegAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA4AyHGwABJ2xdRQAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image lazyload" alt="npressfetimg-29990.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-29990.png" data-srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-29990.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-29990-300x200.png 300w" data-sizes="auto" /><noscript><img width="640" height="427" src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-29990.png" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image" alt="npressfetimg-29990.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-29990.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-29990-300x200.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-eio="l" /></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="carousel-post-title-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/extreme-saving-method-speeds-up-early-retirement-option-aarp-214/" class="carousel-post-title-link">Extreme Saving Method Speeds Up Early Retirement Option – AARP</a> <a class="carousel-post-taxonomy-link" href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com">Financial independence</a> </div> </li> <li class="glide__slide"> <div class="carousel-post-image-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/bitcoin-price-not-more-important-than-financial-independence-trezor-ceo-cointelegraph-59/" class="carousel-post-image-link"> <img width="640" height="338" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAFSAQAAAABKqFM3AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAAxSURBVHja7cGBAAAAAMOg+VPf4ARVAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAM2ryAAEdHHWDAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image lazyload" alt="npressfetimg-21594.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-21594.png" data-srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-21594.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-21594-300x158.png 300w" data-sizes="auto" /><noscript><img width="640" height="338" src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-21594.png" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image" alt="npressfetimg-21594.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-21594.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-21594-300x158.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-eio="l" /></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="carousel-post-title-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/bitcoin-price-not-more-important-than-financial-independence-trezor-ceo-cointelegraph-59/" class="carousel-post-title-link">Bitcoin price not more important than financial independence: Trezor CEO – Cointelegraph</a> <a class="carousel-post-taxonomy-link" href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com">Financial independence</a> </div> </li> <li class="glide__slide"> <div class="carousel-post-image-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/author-questions-frugality-saving-and-investing-after-caring-for-dying-patients-yahoo-finance-8/" class="carousel-post-image-link"> <img width="640" height="414" src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAoAAAAGeAQAAAAAsgo34AAAAAnRSTlMAAHaTzTgAAAA2SURBVHja7cEBAQAAAIIg/69uSEABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPBrgv4AAUyPOhIAAAAASUVORK5CYII=" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image lazyload" alt="npressfetimg-3406.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" data-src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-3406.png" data-srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-3406.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-3406-300x194.png 300w" data-sizes="auto" /><noscript><img width="640" height="414" src="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-3406.png" class="carousel-post-image wp-post-image" alt="npressfetimg-3406.png" decoding="async" loading="lazy" srcset="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-3406.png 640w, https://tengruipharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/npressfetimg-3406-300x194.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" data-eio="l" /></noscript> </a> </div> <div class="carousel-post-title-wrap"> <a href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com/author-questions-frugality-saving-and-investing-after-caring-for-dying-patients-yahoo-finance-8/" class="carousel-post-title-link">Author questions ‘frugality, saving, and investing’ after caring for dying patients – Yahoo Finance</a> <a class="carousel-post-taxonomy-link" href="https://financial-independence.tengruipharm.com">Financial independence</a> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="glide__arrows" data-glide-el="controls"> <button class="glide__arrow glide__arrow--left" data-glide-dir="<"> <span class="screen-reader-text">prev</span> <svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="53.0 0 1558.0 2048" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1611,832c0,35.333-12.333,65.333-37,90l-651,651c-25.333,25.333-55.667,38-91,38c-36,0-66-12.667-90-38L91,922 c-25.333-24-38-54-38-90c0-35.333,12.667-65.667,38-91l74-75c26-24.667,56.333-37,91-37c35.333,0,65.333,12.333,90,37l486,486 l486-486c24.667-24.667,54.667-37,90-37c34.667,0,65,12.333,91,37l75,75C1598.667,767,1611,797.333,1611,832z" /></svg> </button> <button class="glide__arrow glide__arrow--right" data-glide-dir=">"> <span class="screen-reader-text">next</span> <svg class="svg-icon" width="24" height="24" aria-hidden="true" role="img" focusable="false" viewBox="53.0 0 1558.0 2048" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><path d="M1611,832c0,35.333-12.333,65.333-37,90l-651,651c-25.333,25.333-55.667,38-91,38c-36,0-66-12.667-90-38L91,922 c-25.333-24-38-54-38-90c0-35.333,12.667-65.667,38-91l74-75c26-24.667,56.333-37,91-37c35.333,0,65.333,12.333,90,37l486,486 l486-486c24.667-24.667,54.667-37,90-37c34.667,0,65,12.333,91,37l75,75C1598.667,767,1611,797.333,1611,832z" /></svg> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div id="comments" class="comments-area"> <div id="respond" class="comment-respond"> <h3 id="reply-title" class="comment-reply-title">Leave a Reply <small><a rel="nofollow" id="cancel-comment-reply-link" href="/extreme-saving-method-speeds-up-early-retirement-option-aarp-322/#respond" style="display:none;">Cancel reply</a></small></h3><form action="https://tengruipharm.com/wp-comments-post.php" method="post" id="commentform" class="comment-form" novalidate><p class="comment-notes"><span id="email-notes">Your email address will not be published.</span> <span class="required-field-message">Required fields are marked <span class="required">*</span></span></p><p class="comment-form-comment"><label for="comment">Comment <span class="required">*</span></label> <textarea id="comment" name="comment" cols="45" rows="8" maxlength="65525" required>

Name *

Email *

Website