bocopro: You might be right on the wishing for more reassurance. I also see the parent funded lavish lifestyle of my friends and it is easy to feel like I am doing the wrong thing by "not living up my 20's." I am happy to hear that you and your husband also share similar values and it seems like it is paying off! I am excited to hear more stories like ours where we got a chance to start out on the right footing and didn't blow it. It is so easy to hear friends and coworkers struggle when they hit 30 and wonder how they are going to start saving for a house, or get out of credit card debt. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Your finances in your OP are great. You came out of college make a really nice salary ($80Kish?). You live at your parent's house, perfect for maximizing savings.
Hey I graduated college in 2012 so just a few years older than you. What I've learned the last few years is that few people in their 20s save like we do but few people have the money and flexibility we do. As I've gotten older and been able to go on several awesome international trips, bought a house, bought 3 rental properties, and now am looking at being able to retire when I'm 30 I realize it was all worth it. The FOMO I felt not going out on weekends early on, the concerts I missed etc none of that matters to me anymore. I'm so glad I started saving when I was young and continued doing it even when it wasn't easy or cool. I'm not sure what your goals are and I don't recommend depriving yourself but if you are happy with your life don't change it for anyone else.
Anyways just wanted to comment to say keep up the good work and to show you a glimpse of what's possible when you save early =]
This is a great post. What I was going to get to exactly.
OP, you comment about listening to friends and their lavish lifestyle, blowing money etc, make sure the lifestyle you have chosen is what you really want.
I feel this is a double edged sword: you struggle saving all your money in your 20's by staying in the nest and living VERY conservatively OR you enjoy the youth of your life pushing off retirement for down the road. Find the point in the spectrum that you want.
IMO, wasting your 20's is a catastrophic mistake, don't be an asshole about it spending cash you don't have but don't live so reserved. Don't end up the person "guy saves $1MM assets by 35, dies next day, egg goes to next of kin" or "guy spends all money before 60, no retirement, works until he is dead, struggling with bills".
I do think it is healthy to take some level of lifestyle inflation.
To put a personal touch to it, I am turning 29 next week (2012 grad), my income ramped up significantly from 22 to now with income approaching $185K-$200Kish, I did inherit money (would rather not have it and take my parents back, not a life changing amount) so life wasn't an essential struggle for me, I do carry debt (for now), but I regret nothing, I sit firmly in the middle of MMM and spender, I'm happy with that. As time goes on, I move closer to MMM. I like to target around 50 years old for retirement.
I am 1000 X wiser now then I was back when I was 22. Life takes time.
Good luck, hope you have continued success.