I heard a financial planner say once that many of his clients don't know how to retire. My Dad worked until he was ninety making money he will never spend. If you enjoy your job and have control over your time and projects, you may also want to keep working.

Retirement sounds very appealing when you aren't spending enough time with your friends and family, or when you aren't getting enough relaxation. But there will come a time when your kids won't really want to spend that much time with you. And a hobby you spend all your time on could become an unpaid job.

There will be times in your life when you have to be all in on your job. But when its not those times, try to have a balanced life now.

I "retired." Still go to some events that are particularly interesting, usually in areas that I enjoy spending some extra time--though I did my best when I had a wage. Doing some of what I used to do anyway but on my own terms. I realize doing that is somewhat privileged but it works for me.

I can’t have a balanced life because people don’t like me. I wouldn’t be able to retire. The people I’ve gathered for my company are all I have, and I know they’ll vanish as soon as we have an exit – perfectly normal, but with a bit of luck, they could stay friends.

I live in France where not being a hard-left Democrat is frowned upon. I’ve actually moved to a richer city because the larger city was becoming a hell for me. I’ve tried until 36 years old to be mild about my social opinions, so really those people tend to hate before we commit the sin.

I’m racist now, the kind of ones who don’t like anti-jihad barriers for Christmas markets. I get that people hate me now, they really want their peers to be killed and I’m a mole on their plans.

I admit I live better as a racist with few friends than when I was in a big city trying to expand my social network and always be criticized because white-males-40-CEO-millionaires are too many.

I’m alone. I’m normal when you meet me, but I really wouldn’t know what to do apart from working too much.

I know somebody who worked, planned, and saved to spend their retirement traveling the world. It was their life ambition.

A few years after retirement they got early onset Alzheimer’s.

I’m 52. I’ve run a micro tech consultancy with my wife for 15 years. We live by the sea in Cornwall and we’ve chosen every step along the way to deliberately not grow our company by taking on staff, instead using freelancers. We’re comfortable but very far from rich, financially. Instead, we’re rich - honestly, I’d say billionaires! - as a family unit. My eldest has left home now to go to uni and the younger one will go next year. My wife and I have been around for them every step of the way, and it’s been the most beautiful and fulfilling journey - my life’s work!

I’ll easily still be working until retirement, probably beyond. I’ll be old and tired and probably pretty useless at tech. But I wouldn’t change a single thing about the last 20 years. It’s been amazing.

Everyone’s gotta do what they want to do - but not seizing life and putting your family at the middle of it - that, in my humble opinion, is batshit. We ain’t here long, and the only legacy is our kids and (maybe one day!) our kids kids. Make it count, which in my book doesn’t = “make loads of cash and as a consequence don’t ever see your loved ones”…

"Clearly not North America"

Um, yes, and I’m completely uninformed about living and working in the US but doesn’t the ethic play the same wherever you are? Be interested to hear why you feel this kind of approach wouldn’t work.

I'm across the channell right here, but worked with americans and for quite some time and also have some relatives living there. Attitude feels different to me.

Two week vacations aren't the norm, people schedule meeting on Friday 6pm and make pretend a lot. Time and effort put into work in the end doesn't seem to differ, but people seem to reinforce the idea the company basically owns them. That of course is highly subjective.

Interesting. Yes, I gather the work ethic is very different. But (again, possibly naively) I would assume that if one wanted to do as I have done (make a small, “ok for an income” lifestyle business) then one could do so. Maybe that isn’t the case.

I'm not saying this want work, I don't really know. My comment was more about your plan showing this European mindset often not present (or talked about) in the NA.