Managed to retire just before 60. DW at 54. Three kids off to college. Two graduated. No loans for anyone. I should have retired at 55 but was too conservative after weathering '08/'09.
I honestly think that having kids helped me with my FIRE plans. We had our first at 21/20 years old and this provided a great stimulus to succeed. I worked at the corp for 36 years and endured all the crap. Meanwhile while on the road I spent many hotel nights working investments and outside deals to add to our assets. DW went back to school at 38 and became a nurse (one of our best financial moves, community college paid off in a year and saved all her income for the next 13 years). Everybody choses their own path. I don't think that having kids is as big a factor as some would think. Having them with the right partner is a much greater consideration.
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Took SS at 62 and hope I live long enough to regret the decision.
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