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    • Home • Advice • Common questions

    When is the best time to spend your money in retirement?

    13 April 2026

    Question by Boring Money reader

    In retirement, when is it best to spend rather than save?

    Answered by Lucy Grifferty

    Many people find the early years of retirement are when they're healthiest and most active, so spending is often higher then. Later on, spending can naturally fall. The key is balance: enjoying your money while also keeping enough set aside for long-term needs and unexpected costs — such as future care fees. Building a budget that covers your usual expenses alongside your other goals can help give you confidence about what is affordable and sustainable.

    Answered by

    Lucy Grifferty

    Director & Independent Financial Planner

    Lucy helps people in mid to later life understand their current circumstances through financial planning. She supports them and helps them achieve their personal goals through the implementation of tailored financial advice.

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    Important stuffHolly and the team have worked in the finance industry for many years but we are not regulated to give you personal financial advice. For every story on this website about a good investment, or something which went up by 10% or made someone £200, we could also share a story about a bad investment, something which fell in value or lost someone £200. We aim to provide general information and pointers – and btw we are totally agnostic about which providers you might pick – but if you have complex affairs, want personalised advice or need specific recommendations, please look at advice pages and see if regulated digital or traditional financial advice would be the best solution for your needs. Boring Money Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales under registration number 09459832 and we have our registered office at 10 Lower Thames Street, London, England, EC3R 6AF.
    InformationHistorically, money invested for more than five years grows more than cash savings. Remember that investments can also fall, so you might not get all of your money back. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may change.
    Boring Money Ltd is a limited company registered in England and Wales under registration number 09459832 and we have our registered office at 10 Lower Thames Street, London, England, EC3R 6AF.