Can't speak for OP, but personally I decided that I would follow my dreams as best I could while I could, and despite not having many resources I had a good run. Now 40+ and facing worsening job prospects with no hope for retirement, but also without regret. I'm fine with going out early. Much better, IMO, than spending my youth contributing to my 401k all so I can see the world when I'm a decrepit old man!
I’ve lived on a tight budget, contributing to my 401k, liquid savings, and after tax savings while killing debt and taking at least 1 vacation a year.
IMO, you don’t have to take a feast or starve approach but find a balance. My vacations weren’t the kind of Hawaii getaways that people in Hollywood are probably accustomed to. Cheap food, low end hotel, etc but I got to travel and see new cultures.
I’m not posting this to say I figured out some genius financial insight, but anyone reading this who’s young or early in their career - for the love of god, do save money in your retirement account. Assuming there’s a company match, it’s essentially free money. Do pay back student loans unless you can discharge them. A ruined credit is going to close so many doors, from financing an auto purchase to home ownership and other things.
You will have to retire some day, and depending on the broken welfare system (at least in the US) to provide for all your needs is reckless.
By all means be frugal and live as debt-free as possible. But I think the issue raised by the article is that in today’s economy even “reasonable” people making rational decisions are screwed once they pass 40, age out of the workforce and/or get hit by a financial emergency like a health issue. There comes a point where the reckless decision is actually to postpone “living” until an imagined idyllic retirement that most likely will never materialize. But I’m one of those people who’d rather leave early than stay late.
Are we talking about a 'Logan's Run' scenario here?
Everybody should live well, while they are young, because they should just die as soon as they've aged out?
I see a lot of support for your position out there, but it's hard for me to be thrilled about it at 50. I do like that you intend to keep doing economic activity, as you're a potential customer so you could be keeping ME alive for a while. But I'd like to think your choice here doesn't simply doom you later.
