Don't buy a new car with every large raise. Seems obvious, right? If you take a 10 year span, 25 to 35, and say you are moving from junior to intermediate rol

Don't buy a new car with every large raise. Seems obvious, right? If you take a 10 year span, 25 to 35, and say you are moving from junior to intermediate roles in IT/Software you are going to see some decent pay bumps. Instead of getting a new car every 3 years get something reliable and double down on payments when you get pay bumps. In year 4 or 5 you will have a paid off car. Years 5-10 of that span you will just have maintenance and any repairs. This could be thousands of dollars saved. Apply the same concept to all other expenses: don't upsize anything with pay raises - stick it in retirement accounts. This increases the luck of being able to retire earlier than most, wish I did this.