Yep! I emulate my folks very much! They were always thrifty, and always lived within their means...never above them! After retirement, they still bought new cars, as well as anything else they wanted...for cash! They also traveled a lot...3 or 4 long trips each year, and sometimes more. As well as a lot of shorter 2 or 3 day trips closer to home. And my Mom drove them all!
My Dad was a lab technician for a major petro-chem factory, and retired at 62 with a cola'd DB pension and full health insurance until medicare kicked in then his insurance paid the difference. He enjoyed 10 1/2 years of good health and travel. The last 6 months of life, he was home bound, and his health rapidly declined until his death.
Mom is still alive and kickin' and still healthy as a horse....she'll be 83 in May! I just chauffeured her to Florida (and back) for a couple of weeks...and she loved it! Anyway, that aside, she retired from municipal government at age 60, with a cola'd DB pension. She could have kept her health insurance, but opted to go on my Dad's retiree plan instead, with the same deal ad his...full coverage 'til medicare, then the insurance makes up the difference.
As for me emulating my folks....I was a lab technician and plant foreman for the municipal government, and retired at 50, with a full, cola'd DB pension,and full health and dental insurance for life. I also live within my means, although I still buy whatever I want...for cash (actually charged on my rewards VISA, and paid off in full EVERY month). I love to travel and do so as much as possible...2 or 3 long trips every year, and lots of shorter 1,2, or 3 day trips. In fact we're just now returning from our nearly 3 week expedition to Florida and several points along the way!!!
Life is great!