Coincidental last name, but I do not believe we are related.
I've been with the same company for 22 years and am now quite disappointed that for 18 years I diligently maxed out my 401(k). Now that I know how to make money in real estate, I often don't contribute, or when I do, I do the minimum to get matching funds. I do everything I can to get money out of it now, including getting hardship withdrawals (which I don't really need, but are totally legal) against my kids tuition bills.
If I had not so diligently funded my retirement account, I would already be retired!