Because that's what the realistic options are, assuming that you work steadily, invest wisely, and that you aint a pig about how you live.
I'm acquaintances with a mixed group of married people with kids and never married single adults with no kids. I've not observed the singles being able to retire even a day earlier than the married with kids folks. The major differences I've seen is the difference between having a big fat government pension and not having one.
I retired earlier this year at age 61. Most of my friends what ever their family situations will or have retired before age 65. And that is without govt. pensions! If retiring early is your goal, then you plan and work towards that goal the same as any other. Most of us have had career changes ( not our choice) and what pensions we do have had to be taken early so are nothing to brag about. We didn't skimp on life and all have nice homes and things,but we lived within our means and payed ourselves first when possible. That means as our Fathers taught us, whenever you are paid or receive some money, pay yourself first. Before you pay any bills or buy something because you want it set an amount of it aside for savings. We lived by that. Thanks Pop! By following this advice I have lived debt free since 1989 and when I want something I already have the money for it. And that's how we did it.
I can't help it if you and your friends are ignorant, bud. the fact is, tho, that if you pay attention, you can easily retire right here in the US, after working and investing intelligently for 15 years. If you are willing to go to other countries, you can retire there after paying attention here for just 10 years. It only takes 1/4 mill saved up here, or 100k if you go overseas. That's nothing to have after that number of years, if you know jack squat about investing.
If we did not have kids then absolutely we would have a lot more investments and cash. That is a given and to say otherwise is nonsense But, I would not change a thing. My fondest memories and best times today all involve my wife and children.
yes, I'm retired. You think I'd put in the time here that I do, if I had to be making money? what people got away with in the past 40 years or so, and what's going to work in the future, are very different. The US no longer has domination in world markets, cant get away with paying workers 100x as much as the rest of the world's workers, etc. So you're going to have to choose, folks. Kids or early retirement, cause you aint gonna have both
