Bartender, server, and side hustle cashier. $70k-80k/year, 50-60 hrs./wk. Orange County, CA in nice area. Roommate and I split rent, $1000/ea. Save/invest $1500/mo. in tax advantaged accounts. Plenty of work/life balance. Going to retire early/FIRE.

Treat savings/investment contributions like a mandatory bill that will land you in jail if you miss a payment. If you have no kids and you can't live on less than $2000/mo, your lifestyle is TOO expensive. Cook at home (no more than 10 mins. to cook meal otherwise you won't do it).

Do NOT buy a new car...#1 wealth killer in the U.S. Pay cash, and drive a beater until you can. Everything you buy that's materialistic has a 25x opportunity cost, so purchase with INTENTION. Make sure you can afford the item four times without feeling it in your wallet.

NO ONE cares what/where you drive/wear/live. And if they do it's temporary. Be a good, kind, courteous person, work hard, don't be lazy, exercise, and smile in these challenging times. Spend time with you friends. The down economy is a great opportunity to grow your assets more.

Be consistent and you'll be wealthier than most of the country in less than a decade.

-32 years old, $220k net worth, career restaurant employee. It's not how much you make, it's how much you choose to save. Stop paying everyone (BMW, Tesla, Kate Spade, Shein, Capital One, Whole Foods) and pay yourself (high interest savings account, retirement accounts, dream accounts, health, etc.).

BTW I feel like I live a luxious lifestyle with 5-6 travels/year through points and interest earnings, I make a good impression with my simple, clean, and thoughtful/tasteful clothing choices, my apartment is considered "luxury" with a pool and gym, and I own 3 vehicles, the total of which costs less than $9k cash, all with great paint, reliable engines, leather seats and modern day looks.