I'm definitely very confused about point 4. Perhaps it's a UK thing, but taking a 2/3 paycut should not ruin your chances of retiring early, if you're living in a city as expensive as London. If you consider the cost of rent, and cost of living in general, your 2/3 paycut should end up being like a 95/100 paycut after accounting for CoL. In other words, it should hardly impact your retirement plans.