I went from $100K to $200K and to $300K and then to $150K in a relatively short period of time. There's a HUGE difference in lifestyle even with a $100K difference. Obviously it didn't make me independently wealthy, but the difference was still night and day.
The $200K+ allowed me to invest in a house in NYC for my family. At $100K I couldn't afford one. Before the house purchase the $200K+ allowed me to vacation abroad 2-3 times a year. The experiences I gained doing that can not be measured in money.
But most importantly it allowed me to completely avoid worrying about money. I knew that whatever happened, I wouldn't be in a financial hole. That type of financial freedom is priceless.
Obviously if my life situation was different...if I was single or living in less expensive part of the country, I could probably achieve the same financial freedom at $100K.
It's good to hear that you were smart with your money but also did get a chance to enjoy it.
We have a neighbor who is a heart surgeon who recently went into bankruptcy. It's almost unbelievable that would be possible with someone making that kind of money, but it really is as simple as revenues minus expenditures.
The $200K+ allowed me to invest in a house in NYC for my family. At $100K I couldn't afford one. Before the house purchase the $200K+ allowed me to vacation abroad 2-3 times a year. The experiences I gained doing that can not be measured in money.
But most importantly it allowed me to completely avoid worrying about money. I knew that whatever happened, I wouldn't be in a financial hole. That type of financial freedom is priceless.
Obviously if my life situation was different...if I was single or living in less expensive part of the country, I could probably achieve the same financial freedom at $100K.