I am poor and chose the latter. Own a small cheap cottage on the edge of a tiny rural village at the arse end of Australia (Tasmania) live simply and have a like minded parter. I quit work at 35 and am now 59, don't get any goverment pensions etc have a small investment portfolio of shares i purchased back in the 1990s from working and live off the dividends.

I don't want to be rich, as to even try to do so I'd have to compromise all of my morals to get there. I'm rich enough. I quit paid work as it wasnt for me. My only regret in life was not quitting work earlier, thats time I cant get back.