auto_da_fe Says it really is quite amazing on how little you need to get by if your needs and wants are humble.
Regarding the above...I'll chime in.
I retired on 12/23/10 just short of 64. (wrote a song about it that very day but not on soundclick yet)
We have no kids which was by choice and I know that's a big factor with many/most.
We have a little savings buffer in case the refrigerator heads south.
I had a 401K which I rolled into an annuity account plus social security both of which are auto deposited.
We sold one truck, kept the 2005 Toyota Tacoma which the wife uses for work. (if I need the truck I take her to work)
That frees up a bit on insurance, gas, registration.
Me not driving to work every day also reduces further gas monies.
Wife has to work another 8-10 before retirement.
After owning two houses we chose to rent as of 1995.....no property taxes, home insurance, roof/plumbing repairs.
We are not lavish livers, we eat well, pay the bills and I keep good beer (non-domestic) on the shopping list.
(Oh...and I just got X3PE!)
I know my scenario will not reflect the masses so I guess I'd only underscore to
do the math, find other small ways to reduce those 30$-50$ monthly expenditures that can suck the life out of a budget account and one may be surprised.
Hope that can be a food for thought tidbit for those that wait impatiently.
Carry on....