I want to add another thing that can really affect whether we can retire early or not: who we choose to be our life partner. It might be different in other places, but in my country, especially for my generation, a lot of people become the "sandwich generation." This means that on top of paying for our own lives, we also have to support our parents.

And honestly, some parents see their kids like investments, expecting them to pay them back once they start earning money. It's tough for some people to break free from that. So even if both partners work really hard, it can feel impossible to save for retirement because they're supporting so many people.

That's why it's super important to choose your partner wisely. Before getting married, have honest conversations about money and family relationships. And if you need to, don't be afraid to get a prenuptial agreement.