If you’re talking strictly financial, getting married. I wouldn’t trade that part of my life, or the kids if got out of it, but strictly financially, I lost more than most people make in a lifetime.

I went into it with a sizeable emergency fund and well on track for an early retirement

Then I got laid off at the wrong time and used my emergency fund in a fancy wedding ceremony. I figured I could make it back pretty quickly, especially with the second income

But I quickly realized I wasn’t saving anything. When a medical emergency hit, my only recourse was a loan and emergency withdrawal from 401k

Fast forward 20 years and still no savings. While I had paid off the 401k loan, I made no contributions. Now I was way behind being able to retire. Then divorce happened. Lost half my house, half my 401k, but no savings to lose.

Now I’m living alone in the same house. I have a huge car loan. I have huge child support payments. I have college expenses for two kids. Yet I’ve been able to rebuild my emergency savings and max out 401k contributions. I’m in much better shape financially, just running out of time to save