Life works out differently for different people. Everyone's path leads to a different end. As much as we think we know what we'll want in the future, and strive to get to that future bliss, its never the same when you get there as what you have always imagined it would be.
There's always the hindsight 20/20 adage. If I had the opportunity to PhD in my 20's - knowing what I know now - I'd have churned the education into some serious $$$ for later, and retired at 45 or so, and tried to accomplish every dream.
I am a double retiree. USAF in '96, and worked as a machinist engineer for the last twenty. Between my 401k, military pension, corporate pension, and employee stocks splitting several times, I've become comfortable enough to retire at the ripe old age of 58. The world is my oyster.
@
alias5000 :
1. work your ass off now.
2. save every penny
3. stay healthy
4. retire early and enjoy some delayed gratification for the rest of your life.