Very interesting @famunger! Recently, we have been looking somewhat at these questions, as my wife and I are now at the stage of "empty nesters" and pretty much free of the financial drain of raising three children (youngest is now 25), and looking forward to our future.
For us, it was a little different in that my parents died at a time where a small inheritance financed 3x university educations... which mostly accomplished that our three started their work lives without the huge burden of student loans typical here in the USA.
One of the big things for us is to always try to have no debt-- let's not have that red arrow AT ALL, if possible. Some things are definitely changing, due to blockchain technology and cryptocurrency investments, and I see this for young people, as well.
I think there is a change in the social structure, as well... I see more and more people below age 30 "valuing" not so much fixed property like houses and cars, but instead experience. They become "techno nomads" who travel the world and work means access to a laptop and wifi.
Interesting and thoughtful post!
You did your children a great favor - I hope they appreciate it. Thank you for sharing this.
I agree - having no debt is also my goal. I would rather buy no car than lease it. Only with real estate I haven't achieved it yet but I will in the future. The opposite of what most people do here - keeping mortgages till they die.
So you being in the "empty nesters" can you confirm the picture? Saving opportunities go up significantly?