I made a conscious decision to stay at a company with a modest pension accruing. Or, I could have job hopped and made a lot more money. If I had hopped… then shame on me for not saving more.

Raising four kids was a pain with what I made. My 401k ended up being modest. And we have spent a significant portion of that bridging my retirement at 60 till when I finally take social security.

No, I did not save enough to retire. But… I saved enough to retire early and bridge several years. Then… modest pension plus maxed out SS ends up being quite comfortable to live in my beach community and travel up and down the coast.

No extravagant traveling the world lifestyle. Just happy. Money can’t buy you time.