When did you see your BTD trend line start to turn down (if it has)?
After 16+ years of FIRE (zero earned income), our spending is up in real terms. I don't keep detailed records but in broad categories, here are some examples:
1. We're outdoorsy types and have been feeling our age with some of our activities. That means more staying at full service, but remote, resorts and fishing camps and less camping or renting cabins.
2. Knowing your remaining time to visit friends, see things you've wanted to see, etc., is drawing to a close likely means picking up the pace and not being concerned about costs. DW just returned from a 10 day trip visiting a girlfriend who retired to the Maine coast for example. When younger, she would have more likely given consideration to the expenses involved for flights, rental car, etc. Now she just goes.
3. We've been taking our camper down to Florida for a couple months the past few winters. That was quite inexpensive. Now we're shopping for a snowbird home down there which will likely be significantly more expensive whether we rent or buy.
4. Our urge to do remodeling and repairs ourselves has faded. Hello handyman, landscaper and professional decorators.
5. Trips to the liquor store and grocery are less likely to be driven by what's on sale.
6. Spoiling grandchildren (including help with college tuition) has become a passion.
7. Etc. Etc.
Now, I realize that we're fortunate that even in our mid-70's we haven't slowed down enough physically to start throwing in the towel on activities. When that happens things could change. But at this stage, it definitely costs us more to live the life we want to live than it did a decade ago.
YMMV
) YMMV
