8 Things Boomers Are Told To Sell Before Retiring, And Why Some Financial Writers Say To Think It Through First

Jane Clark

14 hours ago

Retirement lists love the word “sell.” Sell the big house, sell the boat, sell the stuff in the garage, and watch the cash roll in. Some of that advice is sound, and some of it needs a second look before you list anything.

A December 2025 article by Laura Beck on GOBankingRates names 12 things pre-retirees might sell. Here are 8 of them, with the reasoning given and the cautions that Kiplinger and others raise. This is general information, not financial advice, so check big decisions with a tax professional.

The key word in each case is “before,” because the order you do things in matters. Sell the items that cost money to keep first, run the math on the big ones, and leave the irreversible choices for last.

A House Bigger Than You Need Can Free Up Equity, But Selling Costs Real Money

GOBankingRates says downsizing can cut maintenance, property taxes and utilities and release home equity. It cites Moody’s Analytics for the figure that nearly 6 million older Americans live in homes “bigger than they need.”

It also notes that single filers can exclude up to $250,000 of capital gains on a home sale and married couples filing jointly up to $500,000. Kiplinger’s 2025 piece by Donna Fuscaldo adds that selling can cost 6% to 10% of the sale price and may mean giving up a low mortgage rate, so run the numbers first.

An RV Sitting In The Driveway Still Costs Insurance, Storage And Fuel

GOBankingRates points out that idle motorhomes still carry bills for insurance, storage and upkeep. It says large motorhomes run from $100,000 to over $500,000, and it suggests renting for the occasional trip.

Kiplinger offers a counterpoint. It says RVs and boats can fulfill retirement dreams, and that selling a depreciating asset can mean taking a loss, so sell only if you truly will not use it.

Pontoon Boats Cost $20,000 To $90,000 Before The Dock Fees Start

The same GOBankingRates list says pontoon boats run $20,000 to $90,000, with $5,000 to $10,000 in annual upkeep. Docks, winter storage, insurance and repairs add up fast.

For someone who boats only a few weekends a year, the article suggests a boat club as a cheaper way to stay on the water. Add up a full year of fees, fuel and storage, divide by the days you actually sailed, and the price of each outing may surprise you.

A Second Car Averages Over $12,000 A Year To Run

Once the commute ends, one vehicle is often enough. GOBankingRates says running a car averages more than $12,000 per year.

That adds up to more than $1,000 a month for a car that may spend most of its time in the garage. Compare the figure with your own insurance, fuel and repair bills, and ask whether a rental or rideshare now and then would cost less.

Timeshares Are Easy To Buy And Hard To Escape

GOBankingRates says buyers often pay $20,000 or more upfront, annual fees keep rising and the resale market is weak. It suggests vacation rentals may be cheaper.

Kiplinger’s 2026 piece on what adult children do not want makes a similar point, quoting planner Marguerita Cheng that maintenance fees keep rising. If you plan to sell, start asking about exit options early.

Bulky Home Gym Equipment Takes Up Space You May Want Back

When you downsize, a treadmill or weight bench can take over a spare room. GOBankingRates suggests senior fitness programs or simply walking as alternatives.

A separate October 2025 GOBankingRates list by Gina Hagler, republished on Yahoo Finance Canada, makes the same suggestion and points to neighborhood walks or a pickleball league. Facebook Marketplace is named there for local sales.

Fancy Dishes And Glassware Nobody Uses Can Be Sold By The Piece

GOBankingRates says unused sets can be sold through a buyer such as Replacements Ltd. Per-piece buyers often do better than a single bulk sale, according to an excerpt of the book No Thanks Mom on Next Avenue.

Know your pattern name before you call, and keep a few place settings for holidays if you still entertain. A sale does not have to be all or nothing, and the family dinner table may mean more than the cabinet it lived in.

Old Electronics Can Return A Little Cash Through Trade-Ins

GOBankingRates names Best Buy, Gazelle and Flipsy as trade-in options and says old smartphones may be worth “a few hundred bucks.” The Hagler list also mentions Amazon trade-ins and collectors for CDs and DVDs.

Wipe every device before it leaves your hands, and compare at least two offers. The cash is modest, but clearing out a drawer of old phones and tablets also removes personal data you do not want floating around.

The main lesson from financial writers is to sell what costs you money or sits unused, and to pause before selling anything that earns, protects or passes along wealth. Kiplinger, for example, urges caution about appreciated stock, which can offer heirs a tax benefit, and about old life insurance policies, where a sale can pay far less than the death benefit. Take a week, make a list, and talk to an advisor before you hit “post.”