<prompt> Human: Just a random question I was pondering this morning while getting ready for work. So many people have the mindset of working so they can retire and go do all the things they always wanted to do, like travel. Personally Id rather do things I want to do, right now while Im still young. My mindset is always along the lines of tomorrow is promised to no one, so it makes more sense to me, to enjoy life as much as I can, right now. Live in the moment and not worry about the future. Is there a happy balance between the 2? Anyone have any thoughts on this?  <response>: Its any spectrum you want. Its as complicated as picking a date you wish to retire and saving that percentage of income. Im personally going for financial independence because I figured out saving 65 will mean I wont have to work ever again in 12 years if I so choose. Could I die in 11 years never getting to live in retirement? Of course, thats a risk thats built into ANY for of delayed gratification. At the same time Im not trying to live some monastic lifestyle in the interim. I basically live at the level I lived at before making a decent income. I still travel, mostly free using rewards cards because I have the saved income to use to exploit that system. I dont eat out nearly as much but still a couple times a month. I own a car but take the bus to work now. I find that living on 18K is plenty of money to live on in my city as long as Im not going to buy Starbucks every morning or eating out every other night while driving their in a giant status symbol F350 put whatever fancy cartruck you want there. 