It's possible to live a very comfortable lifestyle and save a lot if you're not consumed by the idea that you need to live in SF or NY to enjoy your life. I always see these stories about how it's impossible for millenials to own a house etc. I bought my first house at 24 and sold it for 80k profit 5 years later, paid off my student loans. I'm on my second house now and it's appreciated considerably in the last few years. Both houses were below 250k with and over 1400 sqft. My wife and I have pretty modest incomes and only bring in about 100k a year together.
While there are certainly things I would like to buy that I cannot afford I can buy most of the things I enjoy when I want to without having to worry and still save a lot for retirement.
While there are certainly things I would like to buy that I cannot afford I can buy most of the things I enjoy when I want to without having to worry and still save a lot for retirement.