The Budgetnista’s Guide to Stretching Your Dollars in Retirement

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Sticking to a budget isn’t always easy — especially when prices rise, income becomes fixed, and every dollar suddenly matters more than ever. But with the right strategies, it can feel doable.

Recently on “Your Money Map,” personal finance expert Tiffany Aliche — better known as “The Budgetnista” — shared smart, practical ways to prep for retirement, adjust your spending, and stretch your dollars without feeling like you’re cutting out every joy in life.

FROM CLASSROOM TEACHER TO PERSONAL FINANCE POWERHOUSE

Tiffany’s path to becoming The Budgetnista wasn’t a straight line. After college, she became a teacher in Newark, New Jersey, where she quickly noticed that many of her students’ parents were struggling financially. So she created a “Parent University,” teaching everything from budgeting basics to filing taxes. Money skills came naturally to her and she credits her parents for laying that groundwork early.

Then the recession hit. Tiffany lost her job, and life threw her a curveball: she fell victim to a scam by a trusted friend who claimed he could grow her money. That painful moment lit a fire. “It shifted the way I started to approach people when teaching financial education,” Aliche shares. “There has to be a deeper level of empathy and kindness that you bring to the table.”

Today, more than a decade later, that empathy-driven mission has turned into a thriving community — and a calling. She’s helped millions move toward what she calls “financial wholeness,” all while building a career rooted in purpose, which includes playing a key role in getting The Budgetnista Law (A1414) passed. It made financial education mandatory for middle school students in New Jersey.

 

Tiffany Aliche, founder and CEO of The Budgetnista

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR BUDGET HAS NO BREATHING ROOM

The last time Aliche appeared on “Your Money Map” was in 2021, when many people were optimistic about their post-pandemic financial comeback. But today? Not so much. A new report shows that in 2025, nearly a quarter of U.S. households lived paycheck to paycheck — and optimism is harder to come by.

“Now, folks are like, I’m not even overspending, and it’s still not enough,” she shares. She’s hearing more “hopelessness” in people’s voices — especially among those who feel there’s simply nothing left to cut.

Her solution? Lean into community. Community can look like a neighbor who watches your kids during your side hustle shift, or a group of friends who swap services, carpool, share meal prep, or split subscription costs. Even small pockets of support can help you stretch your resources further.

PRE-RETIREES: THIS IS YOUR “GET READY” PERIOD

If retirement is on your horizon, Aliche says preparation is everything. Here’s what she recommends for anyone entering their non-working years:

  • Get as close to debt-free as possible: If you need to work a little longer to reach that goal, it’s worth it. Research has shown that working even an extra three to six months can boost your retirement income by the same amount as if you’d increased your retirement contributions by 1% over your last 30 years of employment.
  • Have a Social Security strategy: As she notes, delaying claiming can pay off. “If you wait a little longer, there might be a bit more money there for you.”
  • Plan ahead for your future home base: Downsizing can free up cash — and simplify your life.
  • Invest in your physical health: Aliche has watched her father stay active his entire life — and at 85, he still is. Healthy habits now can save money later. Plus, as she reminds us, “You also build community, which is so critical for mental and physical health.”
  • Audit your invisible expenses: Go “old school” – grab a pen and paper or open Excel and track down forgotten recurring charges or subscriptions you don’t need.

WOMEN FACE UNIQUE RETIREMENT CHALLENGES — AND THEY NEED A PLAN

We’re living through what the Alliance for Lifetime Income calls “Peak 65,” a moment when more Americans than ever are turning 65. And women are entering these years with fewer savings: 51% of women in the Peak 65 Zone have less than $100,000 saved, and for single women, it’s 67%.

Aliche says for those women, the key is to plan early and plan honestly. That includes having a will, creating a trust if appropriate, and talking openly with loved ones. She learned this firsthand after losing her husband in 2021.

“Maybe I’ll get married again, maybe I won’t,” she shares. “I talk candidly with my sisters about what it would look like if I don’t get married again – maybe I’d live with my sister…what does that look like? We’re constantly having conversations.”

TIFFANY’S TOP 3 STEPS TO BECOMING “FINANCIALLY WHOLE”

Aliche describes “financial wholeness” as a state where your financial foundation is solid, stable, and working for you. When you’re financially whole, you have peace and control over your money, regardless of income level. To get there, she recommends three key steps:

  • Get help from a financial professional: Even The Budgetnista has an advisor. It’s her “number one” tool. As she says, “It’s for the same reason why a doctor needs a doctor and a hairdresser has a hairdresser.”
  • Take control of your budget: Aliche says there are key questions to ask yourself. “Are there places that you’re overspending? What do you think is going to shift when you’re retired? Where are you going to spend more? Where are you going to spend less?”
  • Use every resource available: Aliche points to programs like New Jersey’s “Senior Freeze,” which reimburses eligible seniors and people with disabilities for property tax increases. Every bit helps — especially when you’re stretching retirement dollars.

Getting ready for retirement can feel overwhelming, but as Aliche reminds us, you don’t have to do it alone. With the right tools, the right support and a little Budgetnista-style confidence, you can prepare for a future that feels both secure and full of possibilities.

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