How is paying off your house and car, and saving enough to choose not to work for 3-4 years not a bunch of "tangible returns?" (By the way, kudos on that level

How is paying off your house and car, and saving enough to choose not to work for 3-4 years not a bunch of "tangible returns?" (By the way, kudos on that level of self-discipline; I would be extremely happy to accomplish that much with 8 years of corporate salary.)