It depends on what you define "pretty successful". If you come from an American point of view, then success = money and nothing else. In America you need lots

It depends on what you define "pretty successful". If you come from an American point of view, then success = money and nothing else. In America you need lots of money for everything, just giving a good education for your kids is 10 to 15 times more expensive than in Europe or Asia, same with health care. But on other countries success is defined differently, like having a good relationship with your family and friends. I know quite a few very rich people, and some of them are as miserable or more miserable as people without money. With broken families, no real friends, and no time for living outside work. With women or men around them that just want their money and will do anything to get it.