Hear ya Fenris...I like the thought process you got going.
I barely skimmed the responses except for Bornyos so here's my.02.

My whole deal is to not owe anybody anything. I buy my cars, I use a credit card but never carry a balance, and I'm like 20 months away from owning my house(5 yr deal).
Unfortunately for me I have to keep working for the next 10 yrs for 2 reasons.
- Our healthcare system is absolute shit so I need my employer to supplement my familys coverage.

- I need to make enough bank to get my kid through college without dipping into my retirement plan.
No fucken way I'm letting him bear the burden of college loans. That's a fucken sucker bet with no hope of a payout.