<prompt> Human: Hi Reddit!I often read this subreddit with interest concerning budgeting and wealth accumulation strategies. That being said, there is often an overarching pessimistic attitude that values frugality above all else. The chorus of dont buy a new car when a 9000 used honda will do the job is a familiar refrain. If your goal is to build up a large nest egg as soon as possible, then this will not be for you. However, if you plan to work for 20-30 years in a stable job you might avail yourself of this commentary.First, the particulars:Income - 300,000 - 375,000 for us married. The range is due to my self-employment status. This year we earned at the top of that range, but in 2012 we were earning towards the low end. It is unlikely that our joint income would ever drop below 200,000.Age: Me 34 and Her 30Debt: 32,000 student loans at 5. We pay off approximately 1000 of principal a month.Pre-tax Savings: 210,000 in 401k and IRAs. Since I am self employed, I can contribute up to 53,000 or 25 of my profit, whichever is lower. I max this contribution every year. My wife contributes to her 401k up to the company match and also receives a profit sharing contribution -- the total is 10 of gross pay.Post Tax savings: Around 300,000Living situation: We are building a new construction property for around 850,000. We are putting 20 down and the deposit has already been removed from the post-tax savings figure. Due to FANTASTIC mortgage rates, we expect a mortgage payment of 2300mo and property tax of around 800mo and a tax deduction for mortgage interest and property tax of around 500mo.I would like to pass along my ideas concerning budgeting. It seems like on this forum there is so much focus on cost-cutting that any budget with living expenses in excess of 40,000 per year is seen as irresponsible. In our case, we spend closer to 100,000. I propose that people focus less on dollar amounts and more on ratios. We save nearly 15 of our pre-tax income and 50 of our post tax income. This is the driving force behind our budget.I suspect there is a comfortable standard of living a couple can reach and be satisfied. Upon reaching that mark, it was quite easy to simply bank 90 of each dollar earned above that threshold to keep lifestyle creep to a minimum while still enjoying a bit of success for a particularly good year. This strategy should, in theory, remove the guilt associated with spending. While it is true I could build our egg faster, there is more to life than just stockpiling funds. Feel free to weigh in as Im interested to hear the thoughts of people concerning budgeting at this income level.  <response>: I think the main reason you see the frugal sentiment here is that most people coming in with questions are not and will not be earning that high of an income, and even if they are the increased income gives you more room for error. When most of your audience earns 30-100k thats what you end up advising towards. 