I think climate anxiety has a lot to do with continued spending. People aren't having kids, or having much long-term goals, _because_ they don't know how the society and the world would look like in 50 years. So why not just live in the moment?
I'm moving forward having elective and prophylactic medical procedures in the next few years instead of the next few decades so they can happen while I have access to such high quality healthcare.
Lasik and lense replacement seem like an example of what to prioritize bc glasses and contacts have such a long supply chain.
It isn't quite "prepper" bad, but my generation isn't planning on the time of plenty lasting.
I thought that way when I was young too...then I learned how funds-matching and compound interest works.
Always save for retirement. You don't get a second chance to do it.
I know very well how they work. It still isn't worth the penalties. There are better investments that can get more effectively leveraged sooner, while there are still things to spend it on. All evidence is that the next 30+ years are kinda going to suck, buy personal infrastructure, invest in your health, enjoy access to global travel while they are things you can spend money on.
You won't even have the cash to burn to keep you warm if you leave it in a 401k forever.