On the other hand, there are opportunities that are only open to you when you're young. Squandering those opportunities by working so you can be retired at 40 or 50 isn't free.

Meeting people in travel hostels would be one example. Being a young single on a beach abroad is another. Traveling in general is another.

Wandering around Prague with some beers and friends you made 6 hours ago hits different at 26 than it does as a retired 55 year old that waited to live their life.

I live on a beach in Mexico in my 30s and see both ends of the spectrum.