Lot of good comments. Thanks for contributing to the discussion. I'm glad my thinking is in line with much of what I've read. I pretty much have everything outlined in an excel spreadsheet that shows my 401K, Pension, Roth IRA and Social Security from age 51-75. Taking my current 401K balance and assuming I max contributions of 24K each year and also 6.5K in an Roth IRA (that's 2015 MAX limits). I have both a traditional Pension and what the call a Portable Pension (like a savings account balance). I take all of that and compute a monthly payout assumption for each year---obviously the later to retire the more. Key is we all have to make assumptions. Health cost, stock market (up or down?), job security, taxes, unknowns out there, etc. Right now I don't own a house, but saving money and plan on paying cash for one or maybe 70% so I can write something off on taxes for a few years at least--but have the money to pay it off if I want. I hate to owe money to anyone. Only reason I have credit cards is because you almost have to for hotels, traveling, ordering things, etc. Nothing wrong with them either if the balance is paid promptly.

I know one thing. You sure can't take it with you. Nothing wrong with working if that is your thing. My thought is work is fine if you want too, but not that you have too---in order to make ends meet.