New cars just hit $52K and Social Security faces a 24% cut — 5 things to buy before you retire

Vishesh Raisinghani

Sun, August 9, 2026 at 2:45 PM GMT+3 7 min read

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The spending math in retirement can be brutal. Once your regular paycheck stops, every big-ticket purchase comes out of a pile of money that is meant to last you two or three decades. That ramps up the pressure to get every big purchase right.

But with Donald Trump in the Oval Office, the price tags on these big ticket items are more volatile than ever. His economic and geopolitical policies have had far-reaching impacts on everything from Social Security to the price of washing machines.

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With that in mind, here are the top five things you might want to consider buying before you retire in 2026.

1. Your retirement car

The price of a typical new car is already around all-time highs. At the end of June, the average marketed price for a new car at the end of June 2026 was $51,974 — a new record, per Autoweek (1). As of August 4, that figure has reached $52,226 on the Automotive News/Catalyst IQ Vehicle Price and Inventory Tracker (2),

To make matters worse, the Trump administration has imposed a 25% tariff on non-U.S. parts on cars assembled in Canada that are not subject to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), according to the BBC (3), along with levies on European Union (4) and Japanese (5) car imports.

Simply put, Toyotas could become even pricier.

However, one way to sidestep escalating prices could be to buy a used but robust car now instead of waiting to upgrade in the near future. If you find a good deal on a car that can reasonably last 10 years or so, now might be the right time to lock it in.

2. Brand new appliances

The Trump administration's latest wave of tariffs on 60 countries could raise the retail prices for several appliances and electronics, especially those manufactured in China, according to Consumer Reports (6).

Domestic appliance makers can't offer much relief. A Cato Institute (7) report found that tariffs on input materials like steel and aluminum were squeezing margins at Michigan-based Whirlpool, making it the "poster child" for how tariffs can backfire.

With that in mind, this could be the right time to upgrade that refrigerator or air conditioner before the price tag inflates further.

3. A robust safety net

Several Trump policies, especially on tax cuts, have deteriorated the outlook for Social Security, according to analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (8). In fact, the program is on track for depletion by 2032, at which point all beneficiaries could face an immediate 24% benefit cut, per the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (9).

That's bad news for everyone who paid into the system, but particularly for those who are on the verge of retirement in the near-term future. For them, there's not a lot of time to prepare for either changes to the social safety net or a potential benefit cut.

If you find yourself in this position, you might want to create an independent safety net instead of relying on Social Security. For example, you could lean on reliable, short-term instruments such as Certificates of Deposit (CD) to plug some of the potential gap.

A portion of your savings held in CDs at attractive interest rates can serve as a shock absorber if you need it in retirement.

For those seeking predictable, reliable growth, a platform like CD Valet can help you find higher-yield options that work for you, whether you're saving for something soon or building a cushion for the long haul.

CD Valet tracks over 40,000 verified rates from FDIC-insured banks and NCUA-insured credit unions nationwide. Unlike other websites, they show every publicly available rate, ensuring you have a comprehensive view of the market.

Plus, their CD rates are updated continuously, so you can shop, compare and open CDs with ease.

4. Real estate

Median home prices were at a record high in June, according to the National Association of Realtors, (10) while rents have been steadily climbing this year as well, per Zillow (11). For many retirees who own their home free and clear, this might not be much of a concern. It may even be an opportunity.

Investing in real estate could be the key to some additional passive income from rents, and with platforms like Arrived, you don't need a large up-front investment to get started.

Backed by world-class investors, including Jeff Bezos, Arrived allows you to invest in shares of vacation and rental properties, earning a passive income stream without the extra work that comes with being a landlord of your own rental property.

To get started, simply browse through their selection of vetted properties, each picked for their potential appreciation and income generation. Once you choose a property, you can start investing with as little as $100.

What's more, for a limited time, when you open an account and add $1,000 or more, Arrived will credit your account with a 1% match.

5. Good financial advice

Investing in professional financial advice is probably a good idea at any age, but it's especially crucial as you approach retirement. Your lifestyle, spending patterns and tax situation are about to shift, and an experienced copilot can help you navigate these changes with confidence.

But hiring an advisor can be a lifelong commitment, which might make or break your retirement. That's where Advisor.com can come in, connecting you with an expert near you, for free.

It does all the heavy lifting for you, vetting advisors based on track record, client ratios and regulatory background. Plus, their network comprises fiduciaries, who are legally required to act in your best interests.

Just enter a few details about your finances and goals, andAdvisor.com's AI-powered matching tool will connect you with a qualified expert best suited for your needs based on your unique financial goals and preferences.

Finding the right advisor isn't always easy — there's no one-size-fits-all solution. That's whyAdvisor.com lets you set up a free initial consultation, with no obligation to hire, to see if they're the right fit for you.

Buying the assistance of an experienced money manager or tax expert could be one of savviest money moves you make before you retire.