[giantg2]

I agree. I am one of those career people. Unfortunately I dont make enough to quit.

The lies the company tells to dangle the carrot in front of you eventually destroys you when you never get it. At my company, the policies are great but they don't follow them. Plus, the project leadership/vision sucks.

I've never been diagnosed with depression. I tend to be happy, or at least content, when not at work. When I'm at work, I constantly dream of quitting.

[cyberdrunk]

Keeping costs of living low (see my comment above) is a very reliable, if long-winded, path to freedom. The fact, that, via LCOL, you don't depend on "them" as much, also helps mentally.

[giantg2]

I try, but I have a family and my wife does not financially contribute.

I have a garden (big enough I can stuff), keep bees (and sell honey), grow shiitake and lions mane, make our alcohol (fruit wines, mostly from stuff I grow), make our own soap, and other hobbies that save or make some money. Of course I do the usual stuff like Netflix instead of cable, use a budget cell carrier, etc.

It helps, but the big influence is one's spouse. My spouse spends most of her money on horse stuff. I'm left to pay the bills and basically support us on a single income. She does not share my dream of retiring early.