Stockpiling for retirement?

[TheDutchHouse]

Is that a thing?

I may have to retire in the coming two years , working out my finances it would appear I’ll go from living to surviving due to a drop in income.

which made me wonder if I should stockpile little extras to make the transition easier, such as toiletries, cleaning supplies etc

also get new glasses whilst I can afford, maybe update any technology.

Had anyone else done this ?

Surely ensuring you have a healthy savings account makes more sense than a cupboard full of bog roll and wet wipes?

How old will you be? Country of residence? Savings? NI record?

Context is pretty important here.

DH and I are a few years away but we have given it some consideration. Our thinking has been more around big ticket stuff that will keep our everyday living costs as low as possible - an electric car, solar panels, updated energy efficient appliances.

Getting all the routine healthcare up to date is a good shout.

You could do a wardrobe update, make sure you have good quality basics and boots/coat/bag that will last you many years?

What about your bedding and other linen?

Strange thought.🤔

A certain amount of what you may stockpile will be minimum cost items and you will have to be careful items don't spoil/dry out over time.
How much space are you looking to give over to stockpiling?
Technology gets outdated very quickly and some items my be obsolete by the time you want to use them.
Things like glasses may be of no use as your (free) prescription is likely to change.

Money is the key to a more comfortable retirement and if you can't afford it, maybe you will need to work longer?
What is your housing, pension & savings situation?

Savings would be wonderful but I started again late in life after DV with absolutely nothing.

I’m past retirement age now , UK. No savings except for a months rent tucked away just in case . Unfortunately as I had to start from scratch a few years ago with just the clothes I stood up in , at a minimum pay job I haven’t been able to save a lot.

Not so much a strange thought, although I sometimes have those too .. although I thought I’d have to work u til I drop Ill health means it will happen sooner rather then later

Good idea re routine health checks , dentist etc

I retired far earlier than usual for health reasons.
I spent the couple of years before my retirement living off my planned post retirement income to see if I could cope on that income.
Now that I am retired I do stockpile, so if my preferred brands are on special offer I stockpile or I buy wool sweaters in a heatwave when they are in the sale.
I guess in your situation I would live on your future income now even though you are not retired yet and build up some additional savings.

I’ve had to leave work due to ill health but had always planned to go at 55 so was about a yet short . In this year I’ve used some savings and bought a new car (6 month old EV) and had charger fitted , got the mortgage paid off a year earlier than planned and bought a new laptop as work will want theirs back. I haven’t done anything like toiletries as they’re just day to day expenses. What helped is for a year or two I’ve paid half my salary into an AVC to check I can manage comfortably on what my pension will be - currently waiting til I turn 55 to start claiming and managing quite comfortably on PIP / ESA in the meantime.

I had never thought of doing that , it’s only become apparent that retirement plans are closer than I thought because of test results from GP this week.
Thanks for suggesting this , excellent advice

My inlaws replaced all their white goods and car assuming that would see them out (their words). Didn't work as MIL lived another 25 years and outlived another 3 washing machines.

I would save the cash rather than stock piling.