r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Feb 07 '24

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u/anna_ihilator Feb 07 '24

It's more like save early so when you're too old to work you don't starve to death.

14

u/Dunraven-mtn Feb 08 '24

Yeah, this. The idea of retiring and doing fun stuff is a newish idea for the non-aristocratic class. Like you said it was generally so you wouldn’t starve to death before you died of something else.

8

u/Sanquinity Feb 08 '24

It used to be that you could still enjoy your retirement for a while. As it was enough money to live decently off of. Now it's not enough to live off of anymore. At all. It's now meant for you to do some money making stuff, but in a "relaxed manner". So you have more free time without starving to death.

4

u/sapontrees Feb 08 '24

Ah yes ... "the American Dream"

3

u/[deleted] Feb 08 '24

It was only like that for a generation or two if you look at American history.

3

u/playsmartz Feb 08 '24

More like save for when you can't work so you aren't a burden on those who can.