[maccard]

> you can temporarily "retire" for a few years and do what you want without pressure

Not everyone strives to min max their time to the extent that they _can't_ be working while doing what they want. Assuming you're a white collar worker in tech, there are plenty of opportunities for you to make oodles of money, while having a balance between a job and life. Given the choice between being mortgage free in my 30s with an apartment in a cheaper part of town, and being able to quit work to travel/work on my carpentry for 3-5 years, or having a balanced life over the next decade, spending time and having experiences with family & friends, I'll pick the balanced lifestyle every single time.