I’ll give some real world numbers. Right now I make a little over $200K. I am 51, never struck it rich in tech and make the same as former intern I mentored when I was in BigTech between 2020-2023 and when they got back. They got promoted to an L5 (mid level) earlier this year at 25. We both worked in the Professional Services department.

I’ve said no to opportunities that would have paid $250K - 280K that would have required me to relocate and be in an office. I can honestly say there is no amount of money that would convince me to go to an office.

See the story of the Mexican Fisherman

https://bemorewithless.com/the-story-of-the-mexican-fisherma...

My wife and I already travel extensively, I “retired her” at 44 years old in 2020. We have done the digital nomad thing for a year since then and we are planning to spend a couple of months in Costa Rica next year and be away from home during much of the summer.

I have the freedom to spend a week with my parents and work from there and fly to another city to see my friends and adult sons.

Why do I need more money? I’ve had the big house in the burbs built twice and we sold and downsized from the second one.

I also have a year savings in the bank outside of retirement savings