Early retirement is bullshit for me, actually I'm stuck in this cycle.
I invest like 80% of my salary for many years, technically I can retire now because 4% of my investment is enough to cover my annual expenses. But, no one knows if I get sick in the future, my wife turn to be materialistic woman, school fees rise really high than 4% annually etc.
If I quit my current job and choose to the job that I want which likely earn bigger in the future, if I didn't make it, I will regret, at the same time I can't back to my old comfort job. Don't say take two jobs at the same time because the first job requires me to work for full time.
you can slowly talk to your partner about how to design a good future together and start a frugal life, it won't take long to make this movement a habit, the goal is to achieve financial freedom, the sooner the better.
for children's school fees, you can include that in the list, you can set aside the income you have for your education costs until they all graduate from school (sorry, not financial advice, I am starting this movement)