My only budgeting is to earn much more than I spent so I don't have to think too much about it. That means that I live quite frugal and other than food don't really buy much on a regular basis.
Even though I'm in the same category (currently spend less than half), this approach isn't viable for everyone. Some people work hard and long, but just have too high expenses by just existing. You can't really be frugal on rent and basic food, you need something.
there were things involved like moving a couple of times between countries, a divorce, refocusing on a different career to be able to get where I wanted to be.
fair enough but still, I don't think it should take that long for someone to have the basic necessities of a life in this society. that should just be the baseline, regardless of employment situation
Perhaps we misunderstand each other, It took me 20 years to get to the point that all my budgeting is that I earn much more money than that I spent so that I never need to think about budgeting. It's not only about rent and food.
This works great until you lose half your income and you don't change your spending habits because your cats are used to a certain standard of living. Hooray for my line of credit!