Another anecdote. I've hit 90k twice. Didn't hit 20k until 2012, as I was a perpetual student before that. Net worth reached 0 in early 2014. Now I'm about 80% to FI in a MCOL city. I'm a saver by nature, so focusing on expanding my savings rate has been important to me. It hit 80% of net last year, my best. I live comfortably. Small apt, no roommates. I don't own any real estate. Didn't get lucky with equities...my asset allocation is very tame compared to most here. Had setbacks along the way...thousands in auto repair/maintenance in 2012. Dropped $5,600 on a new car in 2016, after the tranny in my old one decided to die on the interstate. The math works. Stay disciplined. Value conscious. Flexible.