There’s something about Christmas time that makes you notice prices more than usual.
Maybe it’s standing in line with a cart full of groceries for family dinners.
Maybe it’s realizing how much wrapping paper and batteries cost now.
Or maybe it’s watching your children circle things in a catalog and thinking, Didn’t this used to be cheaper?
For me, it hits when I’m out shopping with my two children — Treston, who’s 12, and Kate, who’s 11 — picking out gifts, snacks, and all the little extras that seem to come with this season.
Nothing extravagant.
Just Christmas.
And yet, it costs more than it used to.
That’s inflation — quietly reminding us it never takes a holiday.
Inflation Is Quiet — Until It Isn’t
Inflation doesn’t announce itself.
It slips into everyday moments:
- Groceries for a holiday meal
- Utility bills during colder months
- Insurance premiums renewing without much warning
You don’t suddenly feel irresponsible or reckless.
You just feel like your money doesn’t stretch as far as it once did.
For retirees — especially during a season that’s meant to be joyful and generous — that can be unsettling.
Retirement Isn’t One Chapter — It’s a Whole Book
Christmas has a way of reminding us how fast time moves.
It doesn’t feel that long ago that Treston and Kate were small children, wide-eyed on Christmas morning. Now we’re already talking about middle school, sports schedules, and how quickly they outgrow everything.
Retirement works the same way.
It’s not a short season.
It’s often 20 or 30 years.
And inflation doesn’t pause just because you stop working.
What costs $60,000 a year today could easily require $90,000 down the road just to maintain the same lifestyle. Same house. Same habits. Just higher prices.
The Instinct to “Play It Safe”
When inflation becomes noticeable — especially on a fixed income — the natural reaction is:
“Let’s protect what we have.”
That instinct makes sense.
But protection alone doesn’t solve inflation.
Holding too much in cash or overly conservative investments may feel comforting, especially during uncertain times, but over long periods it can quietly work against you.
Inflation keeps moving forward, whether we do or not.
You Don’t Need a Rocket Ship — But You Do Need Growth
There’s a saying I love:
You don’t need a rocket ship to go get milk.
That’s true.
But you do need a reliable car.
For retirees, growth-oriented investments serve that purpose. They aren’t about chasing headlines or taking reckless risks. They’re about giving your money a fighting chance to keep up with rising costs, year after year.
Market ups and downs are uncomfortable.
Inflation is relentless.
Planning So You Don’t Have to Panic
One of the biggest mistakes retirees make is assuming their entire portfolio has to feel safe all the time.
It doesn’t.
A better approach is having different buckets for different needs:
- Short-term money for income and stability
- Long-term money designed to grow and protect purchasing power
That way, when markets wobble — and they will — you’re not forced into decisions you’ll regret later.
You’ve already accounted for it.
Why This Matters — Especially This Time of Year
Christmas tends to make people reflective.
It’s a season of family, generosity, and gratitude — but also a reminder of responsibility. For me, it’s about wanting to be there for my kids as life unfolds.
For many retirees, it’s the same desire:
- To stay independent
- To enjoy traditions without financial stress
- To be generous without fear
- To leave a legacy, not a burden
Keeping up with inflation isn’t about beating the market.
It’s about preserving freedom and choice — year after year.
The Bottom Line
Inflation doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong.
Market swings don’t mean you’ve failed.
And retirement doesn’t mean growth suddenly stops mattering.
A good retirement plan doesn’t ignore inflation.
It assumes it will show up — quietly, consistently — and prepares for it.
So you can enjoy seasons like this one a little more, without worrying quite so much about what comes next.
Wishing you and your family many blessings during this Christmas season!
