it costs approximately 20-30k to live a good life... save at least half your paycheck
These two things are incompatible for all but high earners. Spend $30k & sock away $30k, pre-taxes that's somewhere in the neighborhood of $85k. Not an obscene salary by any measure, but hardly everyone in their mid twenties is in that position.
I'd wager (from various salary polls here, the nature of the tech industry, significant above-average intelligence and a hacker mindset) that the majority of HNers are in a position to save half of their income while living the good life.
I would agree its a bit unrealistic to be able to save half of what you make, unless you are in a relationship. I only make 52.4k a year in a very low cost of living area but once she starts making some money my living expenses will be so low I think it could easily happen.
These two things are incompatible for all but high earners. Spend $30k & sock away $30k, pre-taxes that's somewhere in the neighborhood of $85k. Not an obscene salary by any measure, but hardly everyone in their mid twenties is in that position.