I haven't read the book but my wife and I started investing in our mid twenties and were blessed with generous matched contributions from our employer. We both maxed out the 401k contributions and (she) still does. We also do ROTH's as much as we can. She is into finance and 'manages' it by logging into the accounts 2x per year, looking at performance and making adjustments as needed.

The growth in the past few years is cool to watch now that we are ten years in and the curve is accelerating; even with the stock market crash in '08.

We are sensible on how we spend but not spend thrifty. We take at least on nice vacation a year and are able to visit family in other parts of the country for holiday's etc. When we invest in equipment for hobbies etc - I tend to buy things that last: Burton snowboards, Patagonia gear (I have a winter coat that is almost 10 years old, etc ...)

There was a monkey wrench thrown into the mix about four years ago but as she gets older her costs seem to be coming down. I'll know more how this affect the long term savings plan when she gets closer to being a teenager.