“The secret is to be as debt free as possible and to live realistically.”
Yes. What is also interesting is that I have friends - several whom are millionaire 2/3x over who live more conservative than myself because they either fear, have no interest in, or are too cheap to enjoy the benefits of leisure time like travel, entertainment, better home etc. I have learned that a lot of money does not always make for a pleasurable retirement. Good health, family, friends, and doing what you want to do is more important than living a more upscale life.
Sure, money cannot buy happiness but it does buy a better brand of misery.
Happiness is whatever a person thinks it is. You mention travel, entertainment, etc. I personally have no interest in travel and my idea of entertainment is reading (3-4books weekly)and music while relaxing in what most would describe as a wet dream of a man cave.
My favorite form of exercise is my 4 mile walk each morning at 5 a.m., something I have done every day for 22 yrs never missing a day, rain, snow or whatever. I retired at age 52 and have cannot remember the last time I was sick even with a cold. Nor do I take any medication. I attribute this to strong genes and the grace of God.
Okay now that I bragged about my good health I’ll probably stand up to take my dog for a walk and fall down the stairs or I’ll trip on the curb outside and crack my skull open