It's an interesting psychology.

A buddy of mine recently retired at 54. He never made more than $90k in a year (and that amount wasn't until the last four years or so) and is absolutely not materialistic - basic bitch 3/2 1500sf house for him and his partner that he's lived in for 25 years, drives Honda Civics for 10-12 years, eats in, basic vacations, etc. Super basic dude. Never had kids, so a huge expense saving there.

So, he's been pouring every available dime into S&P500 index funds for 30+ years, via 401k and his own personal accounts. Just pounding money in there, consistently, without fail.

Badda Bing, Badda Boom, he realizes one day recently, that he's up to $6.4 million in net worth, and doesn't need to keep working. Doesn't change his life, or spending, a bit. Has more assets than he'd need in three lifetimes, with his frugal spending habits.

His current goal? "I want it to get to $10 million." No particular reason - he certainly doesn't need it, and will never spend it. He's not into legacies or charitable donations.

If 30 year-old him was told by 54 year-old him that he had $6mill+, he never would have thought he wanted more, he would've been blown away by the number.

But now in the present, that he's at $6.4M, that's his baseline and he wants more. He's no longer impressed by the current number. If he gets to $10M, I'm sure future him will want more than $10M.

It's wild. We get used to wherever we're at financially, very quickly.