I think a person has to strike a comfortable balance between retirement planning and living. According to the chart, I am above average but at the same time I look at what happened with my father. My dad started working at 18 and worked until he was 60. We grew up living quite conservatively, no new vehicles and a house that was paid for within 10 years after being purchased. We didn't spend money on many vacations but spent time at a cabin in northern Michigan. Within a year after my father retired, we found out he had terminal cancer and passed away 6 months later never able to draw social security. My mom is living a comfortable life but at the same time I wish my father had had a chance to experience some of the hunts that I have been on. The time that I brought a 10 point buck for him to see brought a shine to his eyes since he had not let himself do that.
