Villages resident Bill Eder recently dodged a jury duty scam.
Mary Beth Koeth
Frugal Habits People Are Using to Save in 2026
Article written by Kate Schubel, Kiplinger
From California to New York, a new survey reveals where Americans are cutting costs. Here’s how to pivot those “broke behaviors” to your advantage.
In 2026, frugality might feel to some more like a survival strategy than a lifestyle choice. A recent survey by price comparison site, Lenspricer, found that people across the country are adopting “broke behaviors,” from skipping delivery fees to delaying purchases, to cope with the rising cost of living.
The online survey of just over 3,000 adult U.S. respondents highlights an interesting trend. People across the country are making strategic (though often small) adjustments to fine-tune their spending and hopefully save money in the long run.
Yet the real “win” may not be just saving $5 on a pickup order; it’s leveraging those good (or bad) frugal habits to create a tax-advantaged strategy.
For instance, you can reinvest your savings from a delivery into a health savings account (HSA) or maximize your contributions to a 529 plan for your kid’s education. Lowering your tax bill can also help cover increased expenses and grow wealth in other areas, like retirement.
So here’s how to turn “broke planning” habits into legitimate wealth-building in 2026.
1. Obsessively turning off lights
California, New York, and North Carolina are just a few states that lead the nation in saving on electricity by “obsessively” turning off lights, according to the Lenspricer survey.
Although switching off lights might save the annual household $25 to $172 per year (depending on bulb wattage, hours of operation, and utility rates), the “tax advantage” may be in your home’s infrastructure.
How to turn “energy efficient” habits into potential tax savings:
- Electric vehicle (EV) charger installation. Installing a home charging station before June 30, 2026, could net you a tax credit of up to 30% of the cost (capped at $1,000), provided your addition is eligible.
- Adding insulation to walls and ceilings to improve energy efficiency. You may obtain cost savings by reducing “leakage” of hot air inside a cool house, or vice versa.
For the second bullet, if your home upgrades follow the IRS rules for “medically necessary,” they may be deductible on next year’s federal return. However, be sure the renovations meet the federal tax agency’s strict eligibility requirements.
2. Reusing something you probably shouldn’t have
Residents in high-tax state Massachusetts reportedly admitted to reusing items they probably shouldn’t.
While this may include innocuous items like washing and reusing plastic containers or cutlery, it can also extend to potentially dangerous behaviors, like wearing prescription contacts past expiration.
But in the tax world, “recycling” can be a high-pay-off plan.
How to “reuse, recycle” in a tax strategy:
- Roth conversions. Early retirement years (between retirement and age 73) are typically lower-income, making them perhaps ideal to “reuse” lower federal tax brackets to convert traditional IRA funds to a Roth IRA.
- Tax-loss harvesting. “Recycle” your investment losses by netting them against capital gains to lower your taxable income. However, you’ll want to watch the wash sale rule if you plan on repurchasing any securities.
3. Waiting weeks for a sale
Maryland and Iowa residents are more likely to practice the “wait-and-see” purchase method, according to the Lenspricer survey. This means they’re waiting days, even weeks, to see if an item will go on sale before making a purchase. You can use a similar practice for deductions on federal income taxes.
How to turn “waiting for the sale” habits into a tax strategy:
- Bunching deductions. Between new rules for 2026 charitable deductions and a higher standard deduction, next year’s return might be harder to itemize compared to years past.
- You can potentially navigate around this obstacle by “waiting” and stacking two years’ worth of charitable donations or medical expenses into a single tax year, thus perhaps surpassing the thresholds.
4. ‘Doomscrolling’ your bank app
New Jersey, Florida, and Tennessee residents — to name a few — may check their banking apps like they’re social media, according to the Lenspricer survey.
Even though staying on top of your finances is prudent, “financial doomscrolling” to the point of obsession can increase feelings of anxiety and stress and even impair decision-making.
Fortunately, in 2026, you can hand over that anxiety to a well-planned tax strategy.
How to help minimize the “doomscrolling” habit for your taxes:
- Use the IRS tax withholding estimator. If you faced an underpayment penalty (or abnormally high tax refund) during the 2026 tax season, you can use the withholding estimator to maximize your tax home pay this year. That can give you more funds in your pocket (or save you from a large surprise tax bill later), without anxiously wondering whether you’re paying the “right” amount of tax throughout the year.
- Leverage automated investment platforms to handle decisions like tax-loss harvesting for you. Look for platforms that offer investment oversight and tax planning, which could free you from manual daily tracking of tax-oriented goals.
5. Skipping delivery fees
With the rise in popularity of apps like DoorDash and grocery delivery services, it may come as a surprise that residents in states like Washington and Colorado skip the delivery fees.
However, you may be able to save at least $654 per year by picking up your favorite pizza instead of paying a delivery premium. So, how do you reinvest those savings for a tax-optimal strategy?
How to reinvest your savings from a “skip the delivery” habit into a tax strategy:
- Maximize your retirement contributions (401(k) or IRA). For 2026, the 401(k) contribution limit has risen to $24,500. Investing that “delivery money” could lead to a six-figure difference by retirement.
- Or, put the $650 saved into your HSA. If you have a big medical exam coming up, it can lower your adjusted gross income (AGI) and grow tax-free for when you must go to the doctor.
6. Taking extra sauce packets
We’ve all been there: Taking a few extra ketchup packets for home, napkins for the car, or maybe salt and pepper “just in case.” That’s what residents of Vermont, Montana, and Minnesota admitted to doing in the Lenspricer survey.
Savings-wise, this practice is probably nominal, but you can adapt the “putting away for later” mentality when it comes to your taxes.
How to turn “a little extra” habits into a tax strategy:
- Put a little extra toward your mortgage. By paying off your mortgage sooner, you can save on interest without worrying whether you’re missing the itemized mortgage interest deduction, since 90% of people use the standard deduction anyway, according to the IRS.
- Just as those sauce packets add up, small, automated contributions to a 529 college savings plan grow tax-free. You can put a little extra toward your child’s or grandchild’s education and save for their future. Plus, many states also offer a tax deduction or credit for these contributions. (See also: Coverdell vs. 529 plan: What’s the Difference?)
7. Ordering water at restaurants (and cheap items for entrees)
Alaska and Nebraska residents are no strangers to dining out, yet what’s interesting is what they order: the cheapest item on the menu and just water for the thirst quencher.
The tax equivalent may be a high-savings rate, tax-advantaged investing strategy that prioritizes long-term growth over immediate comfort.
How to turn “bare minimum buyer” habits into a tax plan:
- Investing in low-cost index funds. Instead of buying “premium” managed funds, you might buy low-fee index funds or ETFs, which could provide better net returns over time.
- Investing in municipal bonds. Avoiding the “extra tax” on investments may give you a steady, consistent stream of returns over time compared to taxable bonds.
- Using the standard deduction. Just as you only eat what is necessary, claiming the standard deduction may be the simplest, lowest-effort, and most standard path for your income taxes, rather than overcomplicating your return with maybe inefficient deductions.
8. Calculating ‘cost-per-use’ on items
Nevada residents are calculating the return on investment (ROI) of small purchases, according to the Lenspricer survey. Socks, laundry packs, and video games are all examples of “smaller priced” items that could have a big payoff if you use them multiple times.
Here’s how you can adapt that strategy for your taxes.
How to turn “ROI” habits into a tax strategy:
- Before selling an asset, calculate your “hold time.” Selling at 366 days instead of 364 can drop your tax rate from your ordinary federal income bracket (up to 37%) to the long-term capital gains rate (0%, 15%, or 20%).
- Include tax in your cost-per-use analysis. Be sure to multiply the item price (1 + tax rate) to get the true price before dividing by usage; this is particularly useful for larger purchases, like home renovations, cars, boats, etc.
9. Bringing snacks into movies
Residents in states like North Dakota and South Dakota admit to bringing their own snacks to a movie theater. However, this technique is usually disallowed at most movie theaters nationwide. So what should you do instead?
How to turn “do it yourself (DIY)” habits into a tax strategy:
- Save on your taxes through DIY. Adopting the do-it-yourself mentality for things that you might ordinarily hire a professional for (like taxes) could save you money.
- Gift your wealth tax-free to heirs through the annual gift tax exclusion ($19,000 per recipient in 2026). This may help you avoid the federal estate tax rates.
Sunshine, Golf, Pickleball and… Scams?
Article written by Christina Ianzito, AARP
Retirement communities could be idyllic places to spend your older years. But they may also be hot spots for fraud.
Teresa, 81, opened her iPad one day last September at her home in The Villages, the Florida retirement community, when the device began beeping loudly. A warning appeared: Her iPad had been infected with a virus, and here was a number she could call for assistance.
She called and spoke to a polite, professional-sounding man who told her he worked for Apple and that someone had hacked her iPad to try to get into her bank accounts. He stopped the beeping, then said they needed to contact her bank immediately. In a panic, Teresa (a pseudonym to protect her privacy) gave the supposed Apple rep her bank’s 800 number and (assuming he called the given number) was connected to Amy Smith, a fraud investigator ready to help protect her finances.
“She said, ‘You’re going to put [your money] in a federal locker, a savings secured account,’ ” says Teresa, who moved to The Villages from the Midwest about 13 years ago.
Smith stayed on the phone while Teresa drove to her bank and withdrew $25,000, and then as she directed her to different crypto kiosks (a favorite payment method for scammers), telling her to find a location that wasn’t crowded. She finally found a quiet kiosk in a nearby smoke-and-vape shop, where she was to feed her cash into the machine, and the money would be on its way to a secure federal account, Smith promised.
The next day, Smith said she’d need to protect more of her money. Teresa and her husband, who was now alarmed as well, attempted to withdraw cash at another bank. Luckily, the teller saw red flags for fraud and suggested that the couple speak with her manager.
“Thank God,” Teresa says. “She explained to us that we were being scammed.” The couple could have lost far more had the bank not intervened. “It is just so scary,” she says. “They were so convincing.”
Although Teresa reported the incident to the police and the FBI, she’s too embarrassed to tell her friends.
If she did share her story with her neighbors, however — and if they opened up in kind — she’d likely learn that she is surrounded by scam victims of every sort.
Hot spots for fraud?
Drive a little over an hour northwest of Orlando in central Florida, and you’ll come across the peaceful haven known as The Villages. What began as a trailer park in a quiet area of the state back in the 1970s is now the country’s largest community for adults 55-plus, home to more than 150,000 residents spread across approximately 57 square miles of pristinely manicured neighborhoods (villages) that spill into three counties.
Residents, many of whom left snowier hometowns in the Midwest or New England for this warm oasis of golf courses and endless activities — from Boozy Bingo to wood whittling — zip around the downtown areas in colorfully decorated golf carts. Many believe they live in paradise.
“It’s like Disney World for adults,” Villagers like to say.
But there’s an invisible plague that may be endemic to such utopias: scams. An array of law enforcement officials, crime researchers and fraud fighters believe retirement communities like The Villages may be prime targets for fraud.
“People move to these places that have security gates with these expectations of safety in their golden years but are immediately besieged by numerous scam attempts,” says Thomas Blomberg, dean of Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
He, along with assistant professor Julie Brancale, has been studying a large Florida retirement community (they prefer not to name it, for the protection of their research subjects) since 2016 as codirectors of their college’s Aging Adult Fraud Research & Policy Institute. They began with town hall meetings around the community to gather feedback on scams, then spoke with residents in smaller focus groups and conducted individual interviews.
Their findings, discussed in an October Scientific American article, were stunning, notes Julie: “It was abundantly clear that the residents that we spoke with were targeted [more than they were in their previous homes] almost immediately after moving in, and then it was just constant.”
“Offenders knew that there was this prime vulnerable target all living together right here in this small area, and they were preying upon those residents there,” she surmises.
The FSU researchers believe that fraud criminals targeting older people is likely a problem in retirement communities around the country. They’re testing that hypothesis in a joint study with researchers at the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, surveying residents in California’s Contra Costa County (home to a variety of communities for older adults) and across Florida.
The goal is to determine whether, as Brancale puts it, “these older adults are living in hot spots for fraud.”
Logic suggests that they are, says Frank McKenna, chief innovation officer for Point Predictive, a San Diego-based fraud-prevention company. The international crime rings perpetrating some of today’s biggest frauds can target victims using information readily available online, he notes. Why wouldn’t they hone in on retirement communities?
“[Residents there generally have] a lot of money…and are perceived to be more easily manipulated,” says McKenna. “That’s their demographic. They would definitely target people in that area.”
Tip of the Iceberg
Older Americans reported nearly $4.9 billion stolen through fraud in 2024, with an average loss of $83,000, according to the latest annual report from the FBI. That’s a stunning 43 percent more than 2023’s reported losses. Adults 60 and older submitted more than 147,000 complaints.
These are massive numbers. And yet the actual losses are likely far higher than the official numbers indicate, because many victims don’t report their losses. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission estimated in a 2025 report to Congress that, when accounting for underreporting, fraud criminals stole as much as $195.9 billion from Americans in 2024 alone.
The ‘locusts’ — and the sleuths
Seniors vs Crime is a unique fraud-fighting group with a strong presence in The Villages. It was started by the state attorney general’s office in 1989 and now has 31 offices across Florida, focused on educating older people about scams and assisting fraud victims. The police or FBI generally handle the criminal cases that often originate overseas and can result in victims losing their life savings, and then some — the romance scams, lottery scams, grandparent scams.
The Seniors vs Crime “sleuths,” as the volunteers are called, often handle complaints about in-person scammers who roam the region — contractors who promise to install a pool or do landscaping, then disappear with the money after doing only partial or shoddy work, or no work at all.
These problems are prevalent in many areas of the state, says Marty Jacobson, a former police officer who’s a deputy director of Seniors vs Crime. They see an onslaught of contractor fraud in Florida’s retirement communities, as well as car sales and car repair fraud. “Never buy a car if you don’t get a paper contract,” he tells residents, explaining that some dealerships will ask customers to e-sign contracts on a tablet, then change the numbers after the fact.
Jacobson estimates that the organization has recovered about $40 million for victims across Florida over the years, working as mediators between contractors and customers.
Caution and education
It’s important to note that Eder, like many other Villagers interviewed for this story — including Teresa — says he loves the lifestyle and isn’t going to be scared away by scammers. “I wouldn’t live anywhere else,” he insists. (A spokesperson for The Villages declined to comment on scams in the community, but its community watch organization recently held a speakers series with representatives from law enforcement and Seniors vs Crime informing residents about the latest scams and how to avoid them.)
“These retirement communities are wonderful, wonderful alternatives when people reach a certain age,” says FSU’s Blomberg. “There’s so much that’s positive.”
But Blomberg believes that, wherever older people live, they need to be educated about scams and fraud. Many of the people the researchers interviewed expressed frustration that the managers of their community weren’t taking more steps to protect them from scams. “There was no institutionalized effort to implement an ongoing educational program designed to protect residents from financial exploitation,” he says.
Education builds skepticism, which is crucial, Blomberg adds: “In this day and age, skepticism is a must.”
33 Top Towns for Retirees Seeking the Perfect Place to Live
Written By Ali Hussain, Investopedia
When choosing a retirement location, you can select from more than just large cities and a quiet rural town. For many people, the most comfortable option sits somewhere in between.
With populations between 50,000 and 99,000, big towns tend to offer enough infrastructure, including healthcare, shopping, and dining, to keep retirees busy and healthy without the congestion and high costs of larger metro areas. However, there are trade-offs to consider, especially when it comes to travel and aging in place.
Top Big Towns in the U.S. for Retirees
For retirees, big towns can offer space, relative affordability, and a manageable pace of life, while still providing access to everyday essentials and a little more energy than rural spaces. Below is a list of big towns in the U.S. that are on our list of 100 best U.S. cities for retirees in 2026, organized by state.
Delaware
- Wilmington
Florida
- Bradenton
- Melbourne
- Pensacola
- Port Orange
- Sarasota
- Winter Haven
Iowa
- Ankeny
- Council Bluffs
- Dubuque
- Iowa City
- Sioux City
- West Des Moines
New Hampshire
- Nashua
Pennsylvania
- Bethlehem
- Harrisburg
South Dakota
- Rapid City
Tennessee
- Johnson City
- Kingsport
Texas
- Baytown
- Longview
- Mission
- Pharr
- Spring
Virginia
- Roanoke
- Lynchburg
Washington
- Pasco
Wisconsin
- Appleton
- Eau Claire
- La Crosse
- Waukesha
Wyoming
- Casper
- Cheyenne
Benefits of Retiring in a Big Town
Living in a big town, rather than a rural area or a large city, comes with a number of lifestyle benefits. Many of these translate directly to financial benefits as well.
Forget Port-Hopping. These Cruises Are Lingering Longer So Guests Can Spend More Time Exploring Destinations
Article written by Lauren Dana Ellman, AFAR
Cruise lines are rethinking the rush from port to port, offering longer stays and overnight visits for deeper, more immersive travel.
For years, cruising was defined by ships jumping from one port to the next as passengers hurried to see as much as possible before it was time to head back on board. Now, that approach is beginning to shift in response to a growing trend among travelers seeking more meaningful, immersive experiences and more time to take in each place they visit.
This change reflects the broader slow travel movement that prioritizes deeper connections over the number of destinations. As Rob Clabbers, president and CEO of Q Cruise + Travel, puts it, “Travelers today are less interested in ‘collecting places’ and more interested in understanding them.”
Data backs this up, too. In a recent Afar reader survey, a little less than half of respondents (42 percent) said the key factor that would entice them to take their first cruise is an itinerary that lingers in destinations instead of rushing between them—far outpacing concerns like avoiding crowds or eating exceptional food. Clearly, spending more time in port is top of mind for would-be cruisers.
Across the industry, cruise lines—ocean, river, and expedition—are responding by rethinking their itinerary structure, placing greater emphasis on longer stays, overnight calls, and more time to explore destinations at passengers’ pace.
Exploring ports after dark
One of the biggest shifts in cruising right now is the rise of overnight stays and later departure times, giving travelers more time to experience destinations after the crowds thin out. Virgin Voyages, for example, prioritizes longer stops in places like Ibiza and Mykonos, where passengers can tap into the islands’ nightlife, dining, and cultural scene well into the wee hours.
But creating that extra time isn’t simple; in fact, it requires careful planning in some of the world’s most competitive ports. “Securing docking space within a planned voyage is essentially a high-stakes puzzle with limited pieces,” says Natasha Salzedo, senior director of itineraries and destinations for Virgin Voyages. “Most desirable ports, particularly in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Northern Europe, have finite berths, and those slots are often requested years in advance.”
Despite those constraints, the demand for longer stays in port continues to shape itinerary planning across the industry, even for lines operating larger ships. At Celebrity Cruises, expanded overnight offerings—including more than 100 opportunities in 2026—are giving travelers extended access to destinations that reward a slower pace.
Holland America Line takes a similar approach. As Paul Grigsby, the line’s vice president of deployment and itinerary planning, explains, “When guests have 30 to 40 hours in a destination, there’s time to settle in, revisit favorite spots, and participate in evening activities.”
For smaller ships, however, that flexibility has long been central to the model. Azamara Cruises, a small-ship luxury cruise line, has forged its brand around extended port stays. Since its founding in 2007, the line has prioritized longer calls, and today nearly half of its port visits include late nights or overnights.
“Our itineraries are built to give guests real connections with the places they visit,” says CEO Dondra Ritzenthaler. “That means extended time in port—often 10 hours or more—and overnight stays that allow travelers to experience a city beyond daytime sightseeing.”
In 2025, the line debuted an “Own the Night” initiative comprising 28 double-overnight stays across its fleet (meaning guests can spend up to 48 hours in a single port) and nearly 250 exclusive nighttime excursions developed in partnership with local guides. Options range from club-hopping in Singapore to relaxed sunset strolls through Old Town Dubrovnik, Croatia.
River cruises set the standard for longer port stays
River cruising aligns naturally with this growing demand for deeper, more connected travel. “Today’s traveler wants to really experience a destination, not just pass through it or quickly check it off a list,” says Ellen Bettridge, president and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.
River ships, which typically sail much shorter distances than ocean-going vessels do, often sail directly through city centers and smaller towns and can spend more time docked in the heart of a destination, including well into the evening or overnight, making it possible for passengers to head out into town for extended visits.
Longer port stays are a natural fit for river cruise, which often sail into the heart of iconic destinations like Paris.
Photo by Snap Wonder/Unsplash
That advantage is reflected in how river itineraries are organized. Unlike ocean cruising—where securing berth space can limit how long ships stay and where they dock—river lines design routes around direct access to destinations. Viking, for example, notes that it controls or has priority access to more than 100 docking locations in city centers, allowing its ships to dock steps from major attractions and neighborhoods—which river cruise passengers have grown to love and appreciate about this style of travel.
Expedition cruises redefine what a “port” even is
Expedition cruising pushes the idea of lingering longer even further, often beyond traditional ports altogether. These innovative vessels can anchor in remote locations, allowing travelers to go ashore via Zodiac boats and explore places far beyond the reach of traditional cruise itineraries.
“Unlike traditional cruising, expedition vessels aren’t tied to fixed port infrastructure or tight docking windows,” says Karin Strand, vice president of expedition development at HX Expeditions. “We can stay longer, reach more remote places, and explore far more flexibly.”
Viking takes a similar approach with its expedition vessels. Ships built for remote areas can either anchor offshore or use dynamic positioning, a computer-controlled system that lets the ship “hover” in place using its own power—avoiding the need to anchor and thus reducing the risk of damage to the seabed—by making small, constant adjustments against wind, waves, and currents.
The result is a more flexible, slower-paced style of travel: Rather than following a fixed schedule, ships can spend more time observing wildlife or exploring areas of particular interest, or they can adjust course based on weather or sea conditions to optimize landing times.
Machu Picchu in Peru is among the many overland and pre- and post-cruise extensions cruise lines offer.
Photo by Willian Justen/Unsplash
Enhanced land programs
For travelers who want more time in a destination or region, pre- and post-cruise land extensions are becoming an increasingly important part of the trip. These add-ons make it easier to go beyond the port city, whether through trip extensions before or after the cruise or multiday inland “overland” experiences during the cruise. In some cases, guests can leave the ship for an overnight stay and rejoin later, as offered by Crystal Cruises in partnership with Abercrombie & Kent.
Other luxury lines are following suit by upping the ante on pre- and post-cruise land programming. Silversea Cruises, for example, offers curated, small-group excursions led by seasoned guides in destinations such as the Great Wall of China, Denali National Park, and Machu Picchu. Expedition cruise lines are also increasingly investing in land-based experiences.
Lindblad Expeditions is expanding its offerings through a partnership with Natural Habitat Adventures, which is expected to include experiences such as land-based polar bear tours in Canada—in addition to its current lineup of pre- and post-cruise extensions in destinations such as Alaska, Ecuador, and the Scottish Highlands.
Rather than treating the cruise as the whole experience, more travelers are building trips around it. According to Richard Marnell, executive vice president of marketing for Viking, 37 percent of the line’s guests added a land extension in 2025—a sign of growing interest in travel that doesn’t end when the ship docks.
Entertainment & Education
Looking for something to read?
This list consists of the top 7 retirement books of 2025.
Source: Morningstar.com
On the Bright Side
Updated Retirement Insights Disclosure: This document is for informational purposes only. All information is assumed to be correct but the accuracy has not been confirmed and therefore is not guaranteed to be correct. Information is obtained from third party sources that may or may not be verified. The information presented should not be used in making any investment decisions. It is not a recommendation to buy, sell, implement, or change any securities or investment strategy, function, or process. Any financial and/or investment decision should be made only after considerable research, consideration, and involvement with an experienced professional engaged for the specific purpose. All comments and discussion presented are purely based on opinion and assumptions, not fact. These assumptions may or may not be correct based on foreseen and unforeseen events. Past performance is not an indication of future performance. Any financial and/or investment decision may incur losses.
Investment Advisory Services offered through Trek Financial LLC, an investment adviser registered with the Securities Exchange Commission. Information presented is for educational purposes only. It should not be considered specific investment advice, does not take into consideration your specific situation, and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. For specific tax advice on any strategy, consult with a qualified tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Trek 25-234
