This Stay-At-Home Mom Took Early Withdrawal From Her 401(k) And Doesn't Regret It — 'Why the Hell Are We Stressing?'

The wisdom of financial planning often clashes with the messy reality of life, and for one couple in their early 50s, a strong retirement nest egg and a valuable home aren't enough to quell the severe anxiety of living paycheck to paycheck. A recent Reddit post sparked a wide-ranging discussion about what it means to be financially secure. The author — a mother in her early 50s who left a full-time career to care for two children, one with special needs — describes a stressful financial paradox.