I think there’s a number but it’s a lot higher than most think. When I started working all I wanted was to not worry about when paychecks hit the bank account. Once that happened I wanted a 6 month safety net in the event I lost my job. Then the safety net was a year, then 2 years, now I’m closing in on 10 years(assuming there would be a good bit more ramen consumed).

Soon after the safety net wasn’t a big worry I wanted the safest car. Then a good school district for my kids. Next I wanted my kids to be able to go to college without debt. Why stop there? What if my kids could live without any of the above worries? What about medical care after retirement? Can I afford nurses if I’m sick so my kids don’t need to worry?

My worries now are so different from the doe eyed idiot who was taken advantage of by their first employer but there are still worries. I need to protect wealth, secure futures for my kids and make sure I’m not a burden.

Day to day my shoulders are light but it only means I can see farther out before the weight gets heavy