I'm a couple of years away from hanging it up for good, but I struggle with how to realistically estimate my "expenses" in retirement. We are totally debt-free and own our home and autos free and clear.

Categorically I have tried to divide our projected living expenses into monthly essential spending: (food, fire/vehicle/health insurance, utilities, public services, home upkeep, and giving.)

After that is discretionary spending: TV, internet, hunting/fishing trips, vacations, holiday spending, and grandmother mad money.)

When you were trying to put together a realistic budget before you retired, did you end up being too conservative, or not conservative enough (as far as projected monthly expenditures?) Also, what did you do to adjust?

"All that the South has ever desired was that the Union, as established by our forefathers, should be preserved, and that the government, as originally organized, should be administered in purity and truth." – Robert E. Lee