No one is saying live in a dumpster or go without health insurance. I think everyone would agree that you should ER if you are risking true poverty/destitution.
Oh really? Then why have so many admitted on these boards they're having to skim, skim, and skim some more to get expenses low enough to not dwindle their savings? Clearly, you dont read the boards here cause some absolutely are going without health insurance, many dont have but wish they could afford long-term health care. And there has been several posts written with the concern of how to construct their portfolio to keep up with inflation for the next several decades.
Dont kid yourself; several here who've pulled the trigger are worrying. That much has been obvious to me.
If you are only comfortable with a house that impresses/intimitades your friends and associates, and a luxury car that does the same, that's your preference.
Impresses my friends? How bout self respect. I was given all the breaks in the world and you think i'm supposed to be able to live with myself by squandering all of those opportunities. Again, maybe you can do that, but I cant. Maybe that makes you stronger? Who's to say.
And what's with "deserving of respect" ? From who, you? Who gives a crap what others think, especially if they judge you for material posessions? They should judge you for who you are, not what you own.
Its a little kid that declares "I dont care what anyone thinks!" Grow up. You're not fooling anyone. Most adults dont say that anymore cause they know everyone else knows better and wouldn't be fooled. At least you picked up on the reality that there's several things the world "should" do. We can talk all day long about how things should be over a beer; would be a lot of fun. When we're done endulging, lets go back to reality. Leave the bar discussions at the bar.
I'm curious, are you just trolling, because if you are, I commend you for your subtlety and sophistication.....
I'm still employeed and have the nice house and car I spoke of, so what do you think? I also have health insurance and dont worry whether i'm going to have enough tomorrow cause on top of savings, i have a paycheck.
My current intention is to retire at 58 when i'll be eligible for both a federal pension and a SS suppliment (until i reach 62 for SS). This to say nothing of a minimum 2 mil liquid portfolio I intend to have when that happens. Absolutely not trolling, I plan to practice what i preach. I will retire in both comfort and safety.
Subtle i'm not, and sophistated this isnt either. I certainly dont consider myself Einstein simply cause I know it would be idiotic to retire with 1Mil in my 30s. If my brashness keeps just one person from ruining their life, then i'd be worth it.
Everybody has their idea of ER. Mine is more conservative. 58 instead of 62, 65, or never like most americans. A rather large retirement stream of income rather than Social security being the primary source. I'm not an extremist. For just about everything in my life, I think of balance. Yin-yang. The extremist are rarely correct.
If i have to work a little longer to have no worries, then so be it. Its the lesser of the evils for me.
On the topic, here's an msn article:
http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Retirementandwills/Retireearly/P106449.asp