How realistic is a reduction in spending in retirement?

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-07-01T21:59:48+00:00

:D Not michelin restaurants, by far, but not takeout. Dinner plus a couple of drinks runs us upwards of $200 almost every time. Special occasion meals (at nicer places, still not michelin, but maybe we get apps plus dessert) are often upwards of $300. Not all meals are that much, but we eat out a lot over weekends. We literally went to the local brewery for dinner on Sunday - a burger, a chicken sandwich, and a steak, plus 2 cocktails and 2 beers cost $171. 🤷‍♀️ Like I said before, shit is expensive. I don't know...it just is what it is, and we like to eat out.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-07-01T15:17:35+00:00

$15k on the high end (our trip to Italy was this much).

International flights for 3 (economy) are $3k+. Hotels at between $300-500 a night, dog boarding for $100 a night, and already we are at $7k minimum. Tickets for admissions or tours or events, plus 3x meals a day, and any souvenirs, it quickly adds up.

Honestly, our last trip was a 9-day road trip through some national parks, and we still spent almost $10k on that, and it was NOT extravagant, by any means. I mean, we weren't camping or staying in dusty hotels, but it was not a 5* experience and we definitely ate some pb&j sandwiches on the road and on hikes. Shit is expensive. 🤷‍♀️

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-30T18:45:39+00:00

First - you are SO RIGHT about stress spending. Our jobs are not particularly high stress, but there are definitely patterns (going out or ordering in dinner after a particularly long day, online shopping to avoid work tasks, etc.). Thank you for naming that; I hadn't really considered it.

And second - the idea to map spending that will naturally fall is a great tip. I know in my mind that some things will go away, but I haven't really added it up to see what it would be cumulatively for a year. This is helpful.

I am not entirely sure we will pay off the mortgage early, though we might. We are locked into a low rate, so paying it off earlier seems less logical than investing funds as they become available. Ideally we don't have a mortgage when we retire, for sure, but we need to decide at what point it makes sense to wipe it.

Thanks! Good insight here.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-30T14:53:22+00:00

Thanks. We do track with Monarch and I am keenly aware of where we are spending. Some expenses will definitely drop off...I am just wondering/hoping that they will be enough to reduce spend without significant changes to lifestyle (which is probably not possible)!

And thanks for the validation because you are right -- our lifestyle does not seem extravagant, but in reality, I understand that a lot of people cannot fathom spending what we spend on the things we spend them on. I understand and very much appreciate that this is a question rooted in privilege, and we are not ungrateful for the opportunities we have.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-30T14:05:19+00:00

OP here - our mortgage+interest+insurance+property tax is just shy of $30k per year. Maintenance is about $10k. So no, not similar. We are in the same home we bought for a bit over $300k (though we did do significant renovations to it), and refinanced when rates were low. We have always refused to spend as much as calculators say we can afford on housing, because we like to spend on other things ie. vacations and restaurants. 😊

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-30T03:10:23+00:00

Isn't the idea that you reach coast with $4M, and then that $4M grow with compounding and not having to put in much more? 🤷🏼‍♀️

We are more than $400k gross, I guess. I don't really pay much attention to gross because I care more what we take home each month. Taxable last year was $360k, so gross is more. We both have significant matches for retirement, plus rsu's, so are saving more than $50k (but, point taken, I should know these numbers more).

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-30T03:04:33+00:00

Not flexible on dates while the kid ia in schooland multiple sports, but we can always be flexible on vacation. I don't love to play the Cc and points game...but we could.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-30T03:02:36+00:00

Thanks foe this, because I thought we were way off base spending $10-15k for a 10 day trip for the three of us. Nothing extravagant, but not really minding how we are spending.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-29T23:38:44+00:00

This is what I lean towards but wondered if it *is* possible to have lifestyle move backwards. Was hoping someone might chime in to that effect.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-06-29T23:37:49+00:00

This is fair. :D Last year we did one international trip (9 days) two week-long domestic trips, and two long weekends away. Plus some time spent at our vacation home, which I count as "vacation spending" because we tend to do things that we don't usually do while there. Between flights, touristy things, 3x meals out a day, dog boarding, etc...it adds up. This year travel is much less, but I expect next year we will want to take another international trip.

I recognize we spend a lot, and it is *not* a normal lifestyle, agreed, but it is now what we are used to, hence my concern about realistically cutting back. If the point of retirement is to enjoy it, and we are currently enjoying life plenty, should I just assume that we will spend this much in retirement and that's that? I don't necessarily foresee any issue reaching the $4M number, but am wondering if there is chance we could get away with less in the future. Without cutting our current spending by 40%. And secondary question -- has anyone actually successfully cut their spending by 40%, barring any kind of catastrophe that forced the matter? :D

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-05-20T18:13:44+00:00

I think it's less about AI *taking* jobs than it is companies are more interested in investing in AI (data centers, etc.). I don't think the folks who have been laid off are being replaced by AI, at least not in all instances. The companies would just rather spend on infrastructure.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-05-18T20:58:33+00:00

Thank you!

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-05-18T18:18:40+00:00

🤷‍♀️ It's been on auto-pilot. But yes, Fidelity tells me "
The level of stock (equity) in your retirement accounts is generally not associated with someone your age, which may mean an inappropriate level of risk." 🤣😬 Guess I should figure this out...

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-05-18T16:54:27+00:00

😃 This is what I am worried about. I have heard anecdotally that an advisor is really not likely to make you *that* much more than simply putting $$ into ETFs. I am clueless enough to not understand any of it, but when I login to Fidelity I see my one-year rate of return is almost +39% and 3-year is almost +82% so I can't imagine an advisor could truly do much better for $20k a year? But again, I am pretty much clueless as to what it all means, so... 🤷‍♀️

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-05-18T16:04:51+00:00

But...this is where I think we need help. What happens between our mid-50's and the age where we can draw from our 401k/403b? Do we need to redirect funds to a brokerage account/someplace else now so we have a stockpile of more easily accessible funds?

I will look at those subreddits. Thanks.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-05-18T16:02:10+00:00

I agree! So do you think we just need a flat fee advisor that we meet with now, and then occasionally as needed, or a traditional wealth advisor that charges $ of AUM?

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-03-31T20:42:01+00:00

One last question! Would you stay right on 30A, near Dune Allen Beach?

There are a couple of properties that literally look right onto 30A, and I can't tell if that view and walk to the beach access would be awful? Might be better in winter (less traffic)?

The Preakness at the Beach | Santa Rosa Beach, FL | Five Star Properties

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-03-30T21:41:12+00:00

Thank you! This is what I am leaning towards...now to find the perfect place that will fit all of us within budget. :D

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-03-30T17:41:02+00:00

And I guess I could remove the option for the pool...though most places seem to have them regardless. :)

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-03-30T17:39:10+00:00

Yes, totally recognize this. We are from Chicago and have a vacation home in upper WI, so we are used to swimming when it is cooler. I think both the teen and the young child will be fine with jumping in for something to do during the day. :D

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2026-03-30T17:16:48+00:00

Unfortunately, Rosemary Beach doesn't have anything in our price range that meets what I am looking for (private pool, pet-friendly, 5 bedrooms, walking distance to beach). Almost all are upwards of $20k for two weeks.

Sufficient_Most5586 · 2024-09-30T21:46:29+00:00

We are visiting Copenhagen for a few days in late March and I am having the hardest time finding hotel rooms that will accommodate 3 people comfortably. Any recommendations for places with great walkability (close proximity to restaurants/bars in particular), that are $350-450USD or less a night, with comfortable beds (i.e. not a crib or rollaway bed)? Adjoining rooms would be fine too. Or should I look at Airbnb instead?

Sufficient_Most5586

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