But I think it's important to mentally prepare yourself for some of the obstacles you will most likely face.

Listen to your body and see how you feel mentally to gauge how much sleep you need. 

Sounds like from reading this post you are mentally checked out on this deal and it just isn't for you.

It’s my mental safety net of putting away for retirement but having the option to pull the principle out if I want access for emergency, a deal down payment, etc.

I would say Rich Dad Poor Dad changed my mentality about investing the most the ones blow have helped in different ways, from thinking larger than life to working with a Virtual Assistant team over seas.the ONE thing - Garry Kellerthe 10X rule - Grant CardoneUnlimited Power - Tony Robbins4 hour Work Week - Tim FerrisTraction - Gino WickmanProfit first - Mike Michalowicz

The only good justification I can think of mentally for taking profits out from the get go while still maintaining a career is because the career you are in (if you plan on being in a while) is the sort of thing that earnings grow exponentially with experience or an established book of business.

I love your why, family and personal time are extremely important for us mentally.

It's just very versatile.

So it doesn’t have to be 1 vs another sort of mentality, you can do multiple options. 

Its not paycheques it's the mentality that results from upbringing and society.