DH was of the mindset that he'd never get to retire, he'd just have to work forever. He also is distrustful of investments and the stock market, thinks it is all fake. We were never spendy, not with low income and five kids; I've always been frugal, so we are comfortable. As we paid off our modest SLs, and worked to pay down our 9.75% mortgage, I'd have him slowly increase his 401k contributions as payments went away: 5%, then 10%, then 20%. I got a part-time job about the same time the mortgage was paid off, so I wanted to double contributions again and add Roths, but he wanted to stop having to teach during summers, so we compromised. I got a raise, and he finally maxed his 401k.
He was getting more and more unhappy at work, but still viewed all the money put in retirement accounts as "my money" (since it was all my idea, and he'd rather spend some of it on stuff). I'd found MMM, and begun considering the idea not just of retirement but early retirement, and had explained some to him, but it was still unbelievable to DH. One day, his dissatisfaction with working finally overcame his disbelief, and tada! Paradigm shift! Unfortunately, I wish he could have held out about three more years, then he could have quit completely. We're not FIRE, yet, he could switch to something lower paying and let investments compound, or he can find something different but similar paying and continue to save for a shorter time. I would like to continue with my part-time job indefinitely, it is fun, but doesn't fully support us on its own.
It is still a work in progress, I'd like to eventually downsize the house, move so we can walk/bike more places, cutting expenses further.