Originally Posted by Ironhorse

There may be some fallacy to your thinking. When you make $35/hour "being broke" has a completely different meaning that what you are describing for yourself. It means the car payments are high, your mortgage is high (leading to equity that you can leverage in the future rather than throwing it away on rent), prosciutto only once a week instead of daily etc.

Also when your immediate needs are met, although your mind/body is busy with your job you do have more time to think about plans that make sense for the future as opposed to constantly grinding your mind how to get the $30 for a drink, pay rent or $5 for cheeseburger buns. There is a huge difference.