It's tough... at 47 I'm old enough to have felt the decades past turn into a scant handful of memories. When you're older, the past matters less. The now matters more. Not being able to pay for good health care matters. Not being able to eat what you want or take vacations matters. When you're old, you realize "Oh yeah, life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone" and you have the now to worry about. But I don't know, even if I can't remember all of it, some of what I did when I was younger made me who I am now. I'd say plan on working until you're at least 50 and taking some time to smell the roses, especially if you have kids.

The other thing I've realized being old: if you're going to have kids, have them young. There is absolutely nothing on this earth which is as valuable as the time you'll have with your children. I've waited until late in life to have kids, and it strikes me now that it means I might not ever get to meet my grandkids. I'll have decades less time with my kids to pass on advice and support them. I think if there's anything I'd trade my youth for, it's spending time raising kids. I'd gladly work a few hard years in my 40s and 50s for that privilege.