re: Serious question about long term planning.

quote:

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Who paid for your med school? If you have ~30 yrs to retirement, then you are probably in mid 30s or early 40s. That is fast to have no debt and both of you are physicians.

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I did. Paid for college too. I worked 40 hrs a week for 4 years while in school full time and went every summer to finish in 4 years. I took out loans for med school but did a ton of moonlighting to pay them off by the first year out of residency. Wife was on full scholorship for college and medical school. She moonlighted as well to help pay off my med school loans.

We both grew up in very low middle class families and had to work to buy our own cars in high school. We just never stopped putting the nose to the grindstone.

Neither of has a hectic schedule now. This is the least I have ever worked in a weeks time but it is rewarding. I get to work in several free clinics (donate my time there) and plan on working into my 70's.

I agree we are financially well off but it's mainly because we just do not spend money. Never bought a new car. Never go on luxury trips. Etc. We give a great deal away to foundations for less fortunate but because we are a "pizza and diet soda" couple, the savings does accumulate. I just want a small parachute in case I need to suddenly stop and do this same kind of work in a different country if I can no longer do it here.

I appreciate the advice to "live it up" but I just am not geared to do that.

Thanks again for the advice.