If your HHI is > 250k, and your savings rate is > 70%, but your net worth is only 500k, that suggests you haven't been earning or saving in that ballpark for very long.
Tech salaries can grow quickly, but if you are both around $130k that's pretty much an entry level software developer salary (at least it was a few years ago). Depends on location, industry, role, etc. of course. Tech is always a volatile industry, perhaps more so now than in recent years.
By normal standards, you're doing great. Even by Bogleheads standards. But the Bogleheads who have >50% savings rates are not common.
My wife and I saved an average of 68% of our income for 8 years. That sustained high savings rate, invested according to Bogleheads principles, has afforded us an enormous amount of freedom.
If loosening up means hiring cleaners to come every other week (unless you have kids, I don't see how you're making such a mess you need it more often!), buying a reliable car, contracting out lawn care, etc. so that you can focus on your careers and have the time to recover from your hard work on evenings and weekends, that makes total sense.
But if loosening up means dropping your savings rate substantially over the next several years (going from 70% to 30%), be aware that you're taking your foot off the gas pedal of your financial independence. You'd still be doing better than the vast majority of people, but you'll be taking a different path. Especially given a future that might involve big life changes (kids, layoffs, etc. can happen).
Tech salaries can grow quickly, but if you are both around $130k that's pretty much an entry level software developer salary (at least it was a few years ago). Depends on location, industry, role, etc. of course. Tech is always a volatile industry, perhaps more so now than in recent years.
By normal standards, you're doing great. Even by Bogleheads standards. But the Bogleheads who have >50% savings rates are not common.
My wife and I saved an average of 68% of our income for 8 years. That sustained high savings rate, invested according to Bogleheads principles, has afforded us an enormous amount of freedom.
If loosening up means hiring cleaners to come every other week (unless you have kids, I don't see how you're making such a mess you need it more often!), buying a reliable car, contracting out lawn care, etc. so that you can focus on your careers and have the time to recover from your hard work on evenings and weekends, that makes total sense.
But if loosening up means dropping your savings rate substantially over the next several years (going from 70% to 30%), be aware that you're taking your foot off the gas pedal of your financial independence. You'd still be doing better than the vast majority of people, but you'll be taking a different path. Especially given a future that might involve big life changes (kids, layoffs, etc. can happen).
Statistics: Posted by langelgjm — Mon Sep 15, 2025 12:23 pm — Replies 34 — Views 3077