According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spend almost two hours a day on household activities. That’s 56 hours a month dedicated to things like cooking, food clean-up, yardwork, home maintenance and repair, laundry, cleaning and everything else in between.
Besides maintaining your home, you need to pay for it. Mortgage payments, homeowner’s insurance, property tax, HOA dues, routine and unexpected maintenance costs, appliances, security systems and more can take a big bite out of your retirement budget.
If you’re ready to save time and money for pursuing your passions and spending time with your loved one, take advantage of Independent Living, where you can open the door to endless opportunities and step into a retirement that’s designed by you.
What Is Independent Living?
Senior Independent Living is a term that covers a wide variety of housing options for older adults who don’t need assistance with day-to-day activities, but would like to enjoy an age-restricted residential setting.
Floor plans, services and amenities vary by community, but the overarching goal of Independent Living is to offer residents an active lifestyle, freedom from the hassles of homeownership and opportunities to focus on the dimensions of wellness.
How Independent Living Can Save Time and Money
Findings from a 2019 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study found that 92% of U.S. adults feel nothing makes them more confident in life than having their finances in order. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics’ American Time Use Survey found that those who are in charge of managing household finances spend around five hours per week balancing the books.
Combined with chores like lawn care, laundry, cooking and cleaning, you can barely have any time to relax, let alone pursue your passions. So, how can Independent Living save time and money? By rolling most of your ongoing bills into one simple payment and providing convenient services.
Here are 10 ways living at Friendship Village can help make balancing your budget a breeze and give you back time to spend doing things you love:
1. All utilities included
Your monthly fee at Friendship Village includes all utilities, local and long-distance telephone service, wireless internet access, cable TV and all residential maintenance. That means you won’t need to remind yourself about different payment dates for each bill, the fluctuating costs of heating and cooling, or paying for home maintenance or repairs.
2. Some costs are eliminated
Independent Living can save money by eliminating homeownership costs like insurance, property taxes and HOA dues. You also won’t need to set money aside for emergency repairs or maintenance, like fixing damage after a storm or natural disaster.
3. Enjoy a lock-and-leave lifestyle
We include 24/7 security at Friendship Village retirement communities, which allows our residents to lock their door, set out on an adventure and safely leave their home behind. No matter how long you’re away, your residence is always in safe hands. Plus, you can eliminate the cost of paying for home security from your budget.
4. Save time with housekeeping services
Save time on laundry and housework with flat linen and biweekly housekeeping services at Friendship Village. While we’re making sure your home is tidy, you can explore features like woodworking shops, creative arts studios, media lounges and beautiful outdoor spaces.
5. Cut back on groceries
Each of our retirement communities in St. Louis, MO, has multiple dining venues that offer menu items for every taste, which means you can spend less at the grocery store. Our Chesterfield senior living community even has an on-site ice cream parlor, so you don’t have to dish out dough on one of your favorite treats.
6. Cancel your gym membership
Gym and wellness club memberships are important for a healthy retirement, but they come with a monthly fee and large annual fees. Your monthly fee includes fabulous wellness amenities like a heated indoor swimming pool, fitness center, personal training and guidance from a wellness coordinator.
7. Save money on entertainment
While we can’t speak for other retirement communities, ours at Friendship Village have calendars full of activities, entertainment and events. Fill your day with activities like dance classes, lifelong learning courses, putting green contests, water volleyball, live performances and a variety of holiday events, all covered by your monthly fee.
8. Reconsider your car
Many people choose to sell their car when they move to Independent Living because scheduled transportation conveniently takes them to medical appointments, the grocery store, off-site events and more. Plus, almost everything they need is just steps from their front door. This eliminates car payments, insurance, paying for fuel and the cost of repair and maintenance.
9. Feel more confident about the future
Friendship Village offers Life Care at both of our retirement communities in St. Louis, MO, which means residents are guaranteed the health care they need, all on the same campus, at a predictable cost — for life. This means you don’t have to worry about the rising cost of health care or how you can find room in your budget for a higher level of living, like Assisted Living or Memory Care, if you should ever need it. The less time you spend thinking about health care expenses, the more time you can spend enjoying your retirement.
10. More time for friends and family
While saving money is important, the biggest reward from Independent Living is the extra time you’ll have with your friends and family. Not only will you be able to maintain the social relationships you already have, you’ll also have the time to create new friendships. Our communities at Friendship Village are welcoming, vibrant and always ready to welcome the new residents with open arms.
Learn More About Independent Living at Friendship Village
Friendship Village features two faith-based, not-for-profit communities that have been setting the standard for senior services in Greater St. Louis for over 40 years. To learn more about Independent Living at Friendship Village or schedule a tour, contact our team online. We’ll be in touch shortly!