I find a lot to respect in your views, and there was a time that I agreed with a number of them. But having kids changed my perspective entirely, for better or worse. I feel a deep obligation to provide a secure future for my children, a feeling made more acute given my predictions about the opportunities (or lack thereof, to be specific) for my kids' generation to be financially secure.
I think a person's relationship with money is influenced by their rearing, and I grew up knowing that my well off parents won't leave me a nickel (on principle, not because they hate me!). So that had good effects, but maybe also messed me up a little bit.
Please do not mistake my not being money centric with not wanting financial security, free from worry, that promotes peace and happiness. When I need it, I get it.
When I had kids I saved for their college. When I bought my house I worked extra until paid off in 7 years.I ran a 100+ year old engineering firm for 10 years to do it, pita, 60 hour weeks, 10 evening meeting a month, but big $.
I looked at it like a stint in the Service, you don't have to like it, you just have to do it. It set us up nicely.
I'll likely (hopefully) go before my wife.
She'll be set. The kids are good, nurse & engineer. Plus they'll get what's left over.
I gave my kids home down payments and they started with no college debt.
Life changing to me?
Your dad leaving when you are young
Wife being diagnosed with MS
Son deployed to Iraq....twice
If I could buy my way out, I would have spent my last cent.
My retirement plan:
Fat 401
Max SS
small mil disability
Gov pension about same as SS
Part time work, because I want to. I can bill $150/hour and have more work than I want.
So yes, $ is important to live without stress, but imo not a 'goal'.