I’m a 1986 millennial.

All my life, I thought that was the magical goal, “six figures”. It was the pinnacle of achievable success. It was the tipping point that allowed you to have disposable income. Anything beyond six figures allows you to have fun stuff like a boat. Add significant money in your savings/retirement account. You get to own a house like in Home Alone.

During the pandemic, I finally achieved this magical goal…and I was wrong. No huge celebration. No big brick house in the suburbs. Definitely no boat. Yes, I know $100,000 wouldn’t be the same now as it was in the 90’s, but still, it should be a milestone, right? Even just 5-6 years ago I still believed that $100,000 was the marked goal for achieving “financial freedom”…whatever that means. Now, I have no idea where that bar is. $150,000? $200,000?

There is no real point to this post other than wondering if anyone else has had this change of perspective recently. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a pity party and I know there are plenty of others much worse off than me. I make enough to completely fill up my tank when I get gas and plenty of food in my refrigerator, but I certainly don’t feel like “I’ve finally made it.”