[BonzoHansen]

I can buy into that number as an average, based on my experiences.
also, if you don't have expensive hobbies, like cars, that number gets more realistic. but higher in NJ (there is that average thing).

it's all very personal isn't it. what makes you happy might not make me happy. and no matter who you are, as you get older your plan changes and evolves - life dictates that. so what makes you happy now will be different in say 7 years. example, 10 years ago spending a day at a little league field would not have been my idea of a good time. But last Sunday I had a great day watching my boy pitch his 1st game followed by a trip for ice cream. Life changes things and it ain't all shiny stuff that matters.

the more you make the more the boss owns you and a lot of people burn out of that fast - burnout <> happy. I know guys that make $150,000 that have not taken a vacation in 2 years. They have toys but they have no time to enjoy. yeah, great. the experts are right, in most cases a big paycheck does not make up for being miserable. money makes life easier but not always better and there is often a point of diminishing returns.

/philosophy box