Other than focusing on caring about the price of restaurants or vacations, what about adding financial independence to the equation? Somehow that is something

Other than focusing on caring about the price of restaurants or vacations, what about adding financial independence to the equation? Somehow that is something that does not seem to be valued enough when it comes to this type of discussions. Financial independence does not mean necessarily being rich, as much as it means not needing to work for someone else and still be able to make a comfortable living.