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I'm reminded of an apocryphal story I read somewhere about an exchange between Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller that was supposed to have taken place at a fancy

I'm reminded of an apocryphal story I read somewhere about an exchange between Kurt Vonnegut and Joseph Heller that was supposed to have taken place at a fancy party hosted by a successful hedge fund manager. Google reveals various versions and sources of the exchange. Here's mine: Vonnegut: Can you believe this guy? He makes more money in a single day than we'll make in our entire lives. And you wrote Catch-22! Heller: Sure, but I have something he'll never have. Vonnegut: Yeah, Joe? What's that? Heller: Enough.

DonHopkins 7y ago
Conversely, there's a humble brag my grandfather loved to tell: "I'm working on my second million!" (pause for people to act impressed, while secretly loathing you) "I gave up on my first."
- billman 7y ago
  +1 for Vonnegut
pickle-wizard 7y ago
It is nice to get to that place where you have enough. I'm at the spot in my career, where I don't want any advancement or promotions. I'm happy doing what I'm doing. I've got a nice nest egg saved up, so money isn't that big of a motivator.. Really at this point my career is on cruise control, just biding time until I can retire. I'm still learning new technologies, but it is because I want to, not because I have to. Really takes the stress off.
- sidcool 7y ago
  If you don't mind my asking, how do you plan for your retirement? How much money etc. needed?
  - imakwana 7y ago
    Not OP but I believe he is referring to the concept of Financial Independence. There is an excellent reddit community and wiki on the topic [1]. [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/wiki/faq https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/wiki/faq
  - pickle-wizard 7y ago
    Basically I know what my costs are today. I take that number and adjust for inflation. I use 3% for that number. I know that some costs will go down, for example my house will be paid off. I know some such as health care will go up. I figure it will be a wash budget wise. That gives me a future number I need to adjust for. I then take the current value of my savings, plus future planed savings and estimate their future value using several different rates of return. That gives me a savings rate that I need to shoot for, which I generally try to exceed that rate.
rofo1 7y ago
"The poor lacks much, the greedy everything." [Publilius Syrus] Being content and being able to say that you have enough is probably one of the best thing you can do for your mental health. And happiness.

DonHopkins 7y ago

Conversely, there's a humble brag my grandfather loved to tell: "I'm working on my second million!" (pause for people to act impressed, while secretly loathing you) "I gave up on my first."

billman 7y ago
+1 for Vonnegut

pickle-wizard 7y ago

It is nice to get to that place where you have enough. I'm at the spot in my career, where I don't want any advancement or promotions. I'm happy doing what I'm doing. I've got a nice nest egg saved up, so money isn't that big of a motivator.. Really at this point my career is on cruise control, just biding time until I can retire. I'm still learning new technologies, but it is because I want to, not because I have to. Really takes the stress off.

sidcool 7y ago
If you don't mind my asking, how do you plan for your retirement? How much money etc. needed?
- imakwana 7y ago
  Not OP but I believe he is referring to the concept of Financial Independence. There is an excellent reddit community and wiki on the topic [1]. [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/wiki/faq https://www.reddit.com/r/financialindependence/wiki/faq
- pickle-wizard 7y ago
  Basically I know what my costs are today. I take that number and adjust for inflation. I use 3% for that number. I know that some costs will go down, for example my house will be paid off. I know some such as health care will go up. I figure it will be a wash budget wise. That gives me a future number I need to adjust for. I then take the current value of my savings, plus future planed savings and estimate their future value using several different rates of return. That gives me a savings rate that I need to shoot for, which I generally try to exceed that rate.

rofo1 7y ago

"The poor lacks much, the greedy everything." [Publilius Syrus] Being content and being able to say that you have enough is probably one of the best thing you can do for your mental health. And happiness.