This might be a bit different than what others have plotted out but it works for me and hopefully it can inspire people to be a bit more creative with their life design.

I could be making 6 figures. Instead I choose to make around 65k a year and work just 3 full days a week. I'm good at my job (UX designer) and have proven my value to the company, so I was able to negotiate this. I could work full weeks, take that management position they've offered me a couple times... But I enjoy where I am and my job now, and I love that I get to live the majority of the week on my terms. I am still saving about 20% of my income and have about 100k in index funds at the moment. I am 35. I now live in Mexico so I can save even more with the low cost of living and hope to increase that number.

Will I be able to retire as early as some folks? No. But for me I relish the idea of enjoying my freedom now instead of some far off date. I'd rather travel the world now than in my 50s. If I have to scale back then, I will. I will rest on the comfort of knowing I was able to lead a great youth, not scrambling to make for lost time. No judgements on people who prefer knocking out all the savings up front and retiring at 40, I just know that this works better for me personally. I've learned a lot from this community and just wanted to show that you can take a more partial route rather than full fire if it feels like a better fit. I am sure there are subs that cover that but they are escaping me at the moment