I've been working at M$ and now Google for a little bit. Always been scared of lifestyle-creep and so I live the same way now at age 30 as I did at 20 in college. I live with a roommate, drive a used car, totally love Ramen Black, etc. My TC is ~330k, but next year it should bump up by another 100k after some job negotiations. I live on about 60k a year and invest the rest. Got about 1.3mil saved. Always felt lucky to have a job I love - I'd probably be messing with programming even if they didn't pay me so much. My friends joke about my frugality, but I always aim to be far more generous to others than I am to myself (I always try to pay group tabs and such). I don't really want/need anything, but I also avoid luxuries so that I don't want for more. Anyway I feel like I'm pretty risk averse, but I'm not trying to die rich either. Suppose I made a budget to actively try to spend little more on myself, what are some things that would make my life better?
Travel, partying, higher risk investments.
it sounds like you are pretty content with spending less. Not sure of the need for change I guess one thing you could start investing in is your body or mind. Buy more books, buy a gym membership if you dont go. Buy healthier food.
Well I'm only sort of content with spending less. Idk if y'all play video games, but I'm the guy that gets to the end having saved all the rocket launchers and coolest stuff thinking I'd need it later. Then I look back realizing I missed half the fun of the game. I guess I never want to feel that way about life. So I'm thinking about setting aside some money for a 'fun' budget. Force myself to splurge on a few nice things or some interesting experiences each year. I'm looking for advice on what those things should be.
Charity, social causes
Where do you put your 1.3M?
It all goes in to S&P 500 / total market index funds.
Marry. This will solve spending problem
Maybe find a hobby or something new to learn? Like surfing, playing an instrument, etc. Definitely costs money for equipment and instruction, but is super cool and adds value to your life. Or just enjoy saving, there's nothing wrong with being frugal if that floats your boat.
That's really gunna depend on who you are. For me, I'm into music. One decision I made related to that is that I'll own nice instruments. I bought a 10k piano, a 5k violin, 2.5k guitar, and a few other mid-grade instruments to tinker with. All in all, it's not that significant a chunk out of my 400k TC over the 3-4 years I purchased them, and most of them will at least retain value over the years if not appreciate. Just make sure whatever it is it's for *you* and not for image. For a few out there, they really *really* are into cars and in that case it may be worth it to splurge there. For most of us, (as you sense I think) blowing money on a nice looking (or fast, classic, whatever) car is just a meaningless way to show off status and wealth
Share with me. 😘 jk. But seriously, I’ve found travel to be the most eye opening. Try all: touristy areas but also remote areas and third word countries. Experience the different world cultures: chill life in South America, history in Europe, expansion of Asia, barrenness of Africa, etc. I wish I could travel but don’t have deep enough pockets. Give back. LeBron James is super rich but he funds kids to go to college one at a time. If you really don’t need all your money and just want to experience other joys that life offers, help others. There are many people who are barely surviving due to financial hardships. Learn new skills/experiences. You don’t have to self learn, money helps the world go round. Try new experiences and learn new life skills. Some include skydiving, private pilot, glass blowing, sailing, diving, etc. Be creative and see adventures. Don’t stop bc our life is too short to really experience what the world has to offer. If you’ve already done all of this, maybe give back and create these opportunities for your close friends/family who aren’t as rich as you. Sometimes you’ll find this makes your life better bc you practice selflessness. It’s a very different feeling that only you can feel internally. Good luck. I hope to be as wealthy as you one day. I have a lot I’d want to do with money. 🙄
Live the American dream: expensive house, expensive cars, and most importantly: expensive kids.
You forgot expensive partner 😘
Boring people who constantly brag are still around. Go give it to charity.
Ha there's tons of those people here on TB. I do want to spend more on charity and giving, but (separately) I'm trying to brainstorm ways to spend a bit more on myself. I guess I was hoping to tap into those showy TB folks to tell me the one life-changing thing they figured out. Velvet toilet seats or avacado toast or tailored t-shirts... I don't know how you people live.