DrRoy
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
When I was working and accumulating, I did what you did. I didn't spend what was left, but I made sure to pay myself first. Maxed out 401K's, took out 15 year mortgage and paid it off sooner, paid off any debt quickly and then saved and spent the rest without any formal budget. I was making good money and I knew we were living far below our means so I didn't really worry about a budget.
Now, as a retired person we set up a budget at the beginning of the year and we are paying attention to whether or not we're hitting our numbers.
+1. We are actually expanding our spending these first few years of RE to remodel the house and travel more.