Hi All,
this question is for folks that have FIREd in the last couple of years, and is directed at the 'softer' mustaches. Has your actual spending been at least close to your projected spending? I ask because our target FIRE date is a little over two years out, and I've got over 3 years worth of monthly spending tracked. I started the tracking when we started to get to the point where freedom 55 started looking very doable, but we were both not convinced, and well, hubby likes to throw out numbers of what we 'need' (he doesn't pay the bills - how would he know)....anyway, my plan is use our current annual spending, tack on a travel budget (that doubles as a buffer - obviously we don't travel if markets are off or my guess of spending is wrong). We're moving as part of our retirement dream, moving to Muskoka area of Ontario (beautiful area if you've never visited), but the move is forcing me to guess a little more than I want for the actual numbers (to the point that I may work for an extra year after we've moved - I work from home, so anywhere with an internet connection works for me)
So long interlude, hopefully you're still with me.....my question is - is your spending similar to what you expected, what it was before retirement? Or have you seen a huge increase or decrease? Please exclude out the things you expected to change - for example, if you had a mortgage before retirement, but didn't have one after. Hubby has commute costs now, but I'm leaving it in, since we'll have local travel costs getting to hiking trails or putting gas in the boat.