I did not make a lot of money yearly my yearly salary at the last year of my work was $65,000 a year which in New York is really not lot. I did however, start saving in my 401(k) when I was 22 and I bagged lunch most of the time eating out, for example for lunch every day is very expensive, Dom and I did not always go on vacations when we first got married and we were careful with our budget the time I retired in 2021 early, I had just over $1 million in the bank there too. Dom takes home enough from his retirement and his pension that we are able to live on that the two of us pretty comfortably am I out buying jewelry and lots of clothes every week every month I’m happy with what I have. It’s all in your and your perspective on life I cook, etc. etc. we eat out but not all the time
I’m preaching to the choir here, but it’s all in how you live your life and your habits. I have a credit card with a $1500 limit that we use in case we need extras and I pay it off every month no debt
Actually it is important that you share your succesful life story.
You weren’t mega earners but you still developed a sensible savings mentality and now are living comfortably