Yes! I am also a regular guy, I actually feel a bit below average reading HN, since I live in Germany and don't earn that much compared to US or even UK salarie

Yes! I am also a regular guy, I actually feel a bit below average reading HN, since I live in Germany and don't earn that much compared to US or even UK salaries. But I also don't spend a lot :) I have many (attainable) goals for when I hit 40, one of them is to be totally financially independent (passive sources of income > monthly expenses). After that I'd love to try a different industry altogether from tech, very likely starting a small, "boring" but low risk business. Not with the goal of getting rich of course. Just because I don't see myself in the tech treadmill my entire life. But yes what to do in my old age was a big consideration for me when I pondered about having children and my conclusion was that it was not worth to invest so much resources (time and money) into children in the present when I'm still young and with energy, just for having something to do 20 years in the future. Also take into account children will eventually leave home so I'd still be on my own when I'm 60 and older, with or without children. I have great respect for people that have children and I actually think me and my SO are selfish and probably narcissists. But we only have one life and having children is not a decision you can undo.