<prompt> Human: I recently turned 30 this past week. So far I am entering my 30s with 325k in assets spread among index funds, a solid 401k, and no debt. Thanks PF! A quick sidenote - I put in 275k of those assets from my salary, the rest has been capital gains.So how did I do it? I lived in a low cost of living area in NJ, and worked a government job started at 55kyr, now making 91kyr that I disliked for 8 years. -_-I talk to a lot of people who live in NY. Some live hand-to-mouth and spend all of their money on rent and booze - living the life. Others are a bit more frugal, but dont invest any of their savings or pay attention to their 401ks. Still others have great careers like software engineering, and track and invest their savings. Finally, others hit the jackpot and have high-paying 200k-300kyr positions. Or doctors.Im going to enter my 30s with a nice nest egg - but without a a career path that I want to continue I really want to leave government service - Im going to have to start from scratch in jobs that others have had a decade of experience in already, with no connections , b the city experience of my 20s that Ill never get back. All for 325k. Was it worth it? I think the biggest thing bothering me is- by staying with this path for 8 years - did I screw my future 30s, 40s, and 50s out of a better career trajectory if I had moved? Should I have spent more money to live in the city, instead of living out here?EDIT: Thank you all for your points of view! Just to clarify a few things I read: a I wasnt a frugal miser during this time period, I ate out, went out, shopped at Whole Foods, lived in a decent apartment, and went on domestic trips. I ended up travelling for work, so there were some savings there as far as flights and hotels. I just didnt buy luxury things unless I thought it was BiFL, or travel overseas. I drove the same old Honda car for 8 years that I bought used for 8k in 2009, racked up 200k miles, and paid 5k in maintenance over that time. I didnt go out every weekend, just maybe once a month. Basically I made sure my expenses were much lower than my after-tax income, and I invested the savings.b I work as an engineer, and I have a masters degree. No I didnt get a pay bump once I got my Masters.  <response>: I cant say with certainty whether it was worth it but your liver is probably thanking you. 