Early retirees are speaking out about their regrets when it comes to hyper-frugal habits and balancing wealth with happiness. Brandon Ganch, who retired at 34 by saving aggressively, says he wishes he hadn’t been so fixated on maximizing his net worth.
Ganch and his wife lived a frugal lifestyle in Vermont before retiring, but during that time, they both felt deprived and unhappy. Now, as a father of two, he prioritizes spending on things that improve his family’s quality of life, such as buying a home in Scotland.
“I’m enjoying homeownership for the first time in my life,” Ganch said. “I don’t let it stress me out. I know that there’s going to be expenses, so I don’t worry as much about saving every penny.”
Ganch’s mindset shift came from reading “Die with Zero” by Bill Perkins, which emphasizes balancing financial independence with enjoying life’s experiences in the present. He now believes that you should “maximize net fulfillment” rather than just maximizing net worth.
Others, like Alex Trias and Sam Dogen, have shared similar regrets about their focus on early retirement. Trias, who retired at 41, wishes he hadn’t been so fixated on investing and making money. “My greatest regret financially wasn’t my spending, it was my thinking,” he said.
Dogen, who also retired at 34, wishes he had spent a few more years in the workforce to save even more for retirement. He believes that sticking around could have given him new opportunities and rejuvenated his interests.
Their stories highlight the importance of balancing financial independence with enjoying life’s experiences. By prioritizing what truly matters, they’ve found greater happiness and fulfillment in their post-retirement lives.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/04/why-early-retiree-madfientist-is-no-longer-hyper-frugal.html