Each person finds their own way to make things work. The point is to go into it with an understanding of what you're getting into and a plan to make it work for you. There's not a right or wrong way except the risk of not knowing being prepared for what one is doing. There are no magic formulas or one size fits all answers. It's like the rest of life. A couple mentioned retirement. We always had it in mind so when we could, we did for the most part. However, I know people who their job is their hobby, they enjoy it more than anything else in the world and they'll work forever. Probably the most dramatic example I'd point out is Warren Buffett. He doesn't work for the money. He'll never retire.