<prompt> Human: Good day PF. This is one of my favorite subs because I learn a lot from everyone here. Im hoping a few of you can help me with my particular situation.Because of my experiences with debt early in my college years, my relationship with money has become unhealthy and not normal. To expound on that, I have to give a quick back story. I found out during college that my parents have created significant debt credit card debt and taking out equity on the house to expand their home with another room. To add to this, my father didnt work for several years, although he tried day trading, and is now working as a painting contractor. You could say that a lot of money was spent in these ventures. My realization to these money problems came when my father told me I will have to give up college because he could no longer help me with tuition payments.When I discovered the gravity of the financial situation my parents were in, my brother and I joined the military, and started our quest of frugality to help our beloved parents. It was difficult, but we paid off their equity loan 150k and their credit card debts 20k, as well as our own personal student loans. I am grateful to have maintained that discipline for all these years as well as a loyal brother who also made the same committed sacrifice.Now that my dad is slowly coming around with his painting business, and my parents are no longer under the daily stress of collectors calling them and threatening them, I am happy for them that they can live peacefully.However, these years have warped my relationship with money. I cannot conceive of spending anything luxurious for myself. I only spend on things of necessity, and anything else, I put them into a savings account. I fear that something will come that will require it. Actually, my parents dont have any retirement savings at all. They will get a paltry social security check, so I am already thinking about using my savings to help their retirement. Are there any suggestions to help me? I dont want to live like a cheapskate. But it is harder to break this mentality than it sounds. There is immense guilt to spend on anything for myself. I can only think of opportunity costs for having spent that money.Thanks PF. Always appreciate everyones advice and time put into this community.Assistant: Less words, more numbers. How much do you earn, and how much of that do you save each month? List all assets and debts, and your age. I fear that something will come that will require it.It will if youre lucky - old age. There are better ways to save than a savings account though. Human: I earn 120k annually. I have lived on a budget for many years very religiously and the numbers are telling me that I live on 19200 annually. I save 5500 monthly. I have 145 dollars for discretionary use every month, which was intended as my fun money. I always end up not using very much of it and saving even that.Sorry, I should have clarified that by saving, yes I put them in TSP and in a personal brokerage account with mutual funds.I am 28m. Assets: 74k in TSP mutual funds.Debt: 8k car loanAssistant: now that i see the numbers... you need the 50-30-20 rule...cut your monthly savings. spend more.new house? faster car? snazzy new wardrobe? build a beast-mode PC?Human: I looked up what the 50-30-20 rule was since I never saw that before. Thats really interesting to see that half of your income should be allocated to essentials. Is this what the average person really commits? How about for someone who is looking to retire early? Do you know of any other rule for that?  <response>: Its an average rule made for average people. People on rfinancialindependence would balk.That said, you do need a healthier relationship with money and part of that is figuring out your goals and using your money as a tool to bring you health and happiness in achieving those goals.Maybe you want to start a business, maybe you want to pursue a less lucrative career, maybe youre saving to retire early, want an exotic vacation, want to take a sabbatical, would like to buy a house, give to charity, support the arts, start a scholarship. All are unique and all could be your goals. 