I could tell a similar story about 60x'ing my salary in 20 years with very similar numbers for the same reason. The difference is that I got my first programming job in 2000 and my initial level setting was on relatively rough times. I remember seeing the bumper stickers circa 2003—"please god, just one more bubble". Well, regardless of economic bubble status, I think the sentiment has been fulfilled. I do, however worry about the cohort of <= 30 YO software engineers who have never known a down market and may have very high hedonistic adaptation.
Any younger engineers who ask I give the same advice Shaq does to NBA rookies: "Save half!"
