When we first retired, we had set aside a separate cash reserve for the years between retiring and 59.5 to tap my IRA. I'd have to look back, but it was a year or two where we just took dividends off my IRA B4 Social Security. Took Social Security at 62 and continued tapping Divs on just taxable account (1/3rd of investments) and Roth accounts for covering basic living expenses. As mentioned, I have never had to sell shares during our 7 years of retirement.
Part of our early retirement plan was figuring out how to take our funds and minimize taxes. We paid our healthcare as individual accounts - had to buy them on the open market. I am VA, but carried insurance as VA doesn't say it will cover emergency care in non VA facilities. Wife's was the heavier coverage as no VA fallback like me. FYI - healthcare was less than half of what it is now on the ACA (just wife now as I went on Medicare last month) and coverage back then was much better.
Set our taxable accounts up for paying out dividends for an income stream. Was a long time holder of Vanguard Wellington, and added Wellesley when first retired. Moved taxable to 50% stock and 50% bond for that income stream (right now it's 50/50 Wellington/Wellesley). Don't see changing this anytime soon. Used to do my own slicing and dicing, but came to realize that this wasn't prudent for us, as wife cares little about investing. I also realize that as I age, I will probably suffer diminished abilities to handle finances (and not realize it). Had to figure out how to set finances for the long term (possibly without me). Wellington and Wellesley balanced funds do all my rebalancing and income stream is on auto for Divs, and optional for gains (wife understands this method). There is a simple 2-page letter of instructions for what to do when, that includes through age 70.5 (don't change anything and only use Vanguard if you need any assistance). Flagship offers this assistance. Even if she hands it over to them and incurs the now .3% extra management fees - it's still cheaper than anywhere else.
We live off investments as we have no pensions, and don't care for annuities. We live below our means, but live well, winter south since retiring, and purchase what we desire (new cars, etc). There will be tax issues in the future with IRA RMDs (and we have a tentative plan), but feel pretty good about retirement income sources and current tax strategy.