winnietray, your points expand very well on the thought. I can already feel the aches, the fear factor, etc. :( I would enjoy hearing more of your story.
More directly to the OP's point. If you handle your finances perfectly, you just might miss the whole point. If you handle them poorly, you might not be able to get to the point. There is a fulcrum of sorts. Money on one side and experiences on the other. If it were a see-saw, I hope I finish with the experience side planted firmly to the ground and the money side high in the air!