<p>Cello, you said
[quote]
...I see now that my view of "need" is different from yours.
[/quote]
.</p>
<p>Actually, our views are probably the same. For us, it was a matter of want (or choice), not necessarily need ... although, I fit into just about all the categories described above, e.g. live in a high cost of living area, didn't always make as much as I do now and had no opportunity to build a huge nest egg ... plus a couple others, e.g single parent, health problem that could make working at my pace impossible in a few years. </p>
<p>I agree with the poster who said we've beat up on you enough already! And, I would just like to add that I think it's wonderful that you're open to other points of view.</p>