Did you spend more or less than you thought you would in FIRE, and on what?

[Trudie]

So, those of you who are a year or more into FIRE, did you find that your post FIRE spending was over or under your projections?  What were your surprises -- good and bad -- in this area?

[Financial.Velociraptor]

I had a negative 7700 tax surprise my first year.  Other than that, I have spent less than budgeted.  Biggest controllable expense is eating out.  Father likes to get together during the week multiple times and eat out.  I can afford it and its worth it to spend time with Dad.

[Frankies Girl]

We finally ran out of luck and have to replace our roof this year (~$8K) but not counting that, we are right on target in monthly spending. Last year (first year FIREd) we ran a tad higher than my estimates for the first year (replacing equipment and figuring out budgets).

Figure the 3rd year I'll finally get the hang of all of this. ;)

[Metric Mouse]

Quite a bit more some years. Mostly a large home renovation. A bit less other years. It tends to balance out, and I had a bit of a cash pad to smooth things out.

[pbkmaine]

I thought we'd eat out more. DH loves to eat dinners out, but I learned to make his favorite restaurant dishes at home, so now he prefers them my way. I used to like breakfasts out, but DH cooks great breakfasts. I also thought we'd travel more, but there's so much to do in Florida.

[soccerluvof4]

slightly more with kids demands but not that extreme and for the year over year were ahead 6 figures.

[gman]

Spending is under our projections by about 4k. Did not realize that in the winter months we would spend  less because we were not out and about as much.  We spent less on gas, dining out, entertainment and  home projects.

[Greystache]

We just completed our first full year of retirement. We budgeted $60K for the year and our actual spending was $60,047.  This included some significant home improvements (new windows ans painting the house).  It also included a two month long road trip.  Some categories where higher than expected and some were lower, but we got pretty much what we expected. We adjusted this year's budget based on last year's actuals and expect to be close to our budget by the end of the year.  We had some unexpected travel expenses to the tune of about $1,000 this year already.  We have enough slack in the budget to absorb these kinds of expenses without too much trouble.

[Cassie]

WE are spending more on traveling while we are able too. WE had a few friends die or become disabled so we want to see things while we can.

[StarBright]

Spending is under our projections by about 4k. Did not realize that in the winter months we would spend  less because we were not out and about as much.  We spent less on gas, dining out, entertainment and  home projects.

So interesting! We are not FIREd but I've noticed our expenses go way up in the winter due to the opposite. We are paying for indoor activities that keep us busy but warm whereas in the summer we are doing free outside things all of the time. Do you mind sharing what part of the country you live in?