I hardly understand really what the concept of optimizing is, but I think you're doing well at it! :) You decided early on how to make a life of your own, on your own terms, on a timetable that our puritan worth ethic considers sinful, and you opted out at a very early age from all that crap. That makes you a guru in my opinion! People can learn from your example, if only they'd look and listen... The propaganda apparatus in late-stage capitalism has been VERY successful at training people into thinking that they will NEVER retire, that they can NEVER have enough money, that they will need to CONSUME ever more goods and services. It preys on people's self-image, self-worth, and encourages selfishness and self-sabotage. It's a dreadful set-up. Thank goodness you got out of the matrix. I've tried my best to do the same...