[throwaway_goog]

So I "retired" at 33 in the sense of having investment income > monthly expenses. Didn't own a house, but could've bought the Mississippi one you link to for cash easily.

What'd I actually do? Found a series of startups, none of which went anywhere. Fiddle around with technology, and learn some new technologies. Fret about how I wasn't being productive enough. I didn't read all that much - I read much more when I was in college. I got out of shape.

I have a friend who retired at a similar age who said "One of the worst parts about having money is realizing that most of your problems were not because of money in the first place, and then having to face them." Retirement removes a lot of constraints, but that also means that if you're still unhappy with your life, it's because of you and not your boss or employer.

[seibelj]

I think you need to start a family! Relationships are what will make you content.

[goldenManatee]

“Surely a baby will save this marriage.”

[rualca]

> I think you need to start a family!

What an irresponsible advise, given that you factored out the importance of the relationship with the significant other.

"Just find the love of your life!"

"Just live happily ever after!"

I mean, you don't even care if someone's personality and mental state allows for that. A family is not a retinue waiting on you to fullfil your every need, is it?

If starting a family was a silver bullet then we wouldn't see such a high rate of divorce and so many kids screwed up because their parents divorce sucked.

[seibelj]

Wow! You sound miserable

[rualca]

Personally I'm doing very well, but this line of argument sounds an awful lot like "letting them eat cake".

I mean, the assumption alone that people never thought of something like starting a family is mind-boggingly idiotic and presumptuous, as it assumed everyone around is just a mindless NPC.