<prompt> Human: This subreddit has a lot of tips on ways to improve finances, which is why I really enjoying reading it.However, I keep seeing a consistent trend that values Live as meagerly as possible, save as much as possible, hit financial independence as early as possible, then retire with a careful withdraw rate. This feels like the entire basis for the fisherman and the business man joke to me.I do a minimum amount of savings - my spouse and I each max out our respective elective deferrals in our 401ks each year. We have an emergency fund that will last perhaps a month living our current life style, or a year on a subsistence basis. Beyond that, I dont save a cent. I dont look forward to retirement - because I love my job. I dont worry about company or industry collapse, because I love learning new things. I suppose I may get tired and want to retire one day, but I feel Id be perfectly happy resigning myself to low cost outdoor activities at that point too.Instead of saving like my peers and watching the numbers grow on their bank statement, I travel very frequently to explore new places, meet new people, experience new cultures. I enjoy extreme sports that Id never be able to try when Im 50. I buy random toys that I end up selling to clear clutter. I purposely dont take pictures because I feel anything I want to re-experience, I should just re-visit. I have absolutely nothing to show for years of spent income beyond a giant bank of mental memories. Yet, I havent regretted it.Am I missing something in this plan thats going to bite me when Im 50, at which point it will be too late to remedy?  <response>: Most people dont max out their 401ks every year -- not even close. Maxing out a 401k requires the median American to save 13 of his or her income.Most people dont love their jobs. They would like to retire or semi-retire as soon as possible.Most people are unlikely to find another job if the economy collapses. And in fact, you are probably also in this group, even if you dont realize it. I love learning new things too, and Im very good at it, but to enter a skilled profession, you need some combination of contacts and credentials. Passion and desire wont cut it, especially when the job market is tight. 