I understand, but those numbers were from my perspective. I don't have a girlfriend or kids. And one should be able to overcome minor sickness, though I do realise there's a risk. I believe when you're still young and healthy you should occasionally take a little risk to (hopefully) achieve your dreams.

My dream is to be financially independent and work on my own software projects full time.

Do you consider yourself a machine or a human? Became from outside it sure looks one way.

I'm guessing you're relatively young. What I wished I'd learned earlier is the future comes faster than you think, and the earlier you start planning and saving for it (partner, children, ill health) the easier it is.

I dunno why, but I've trouble connecting with women and even if I do connect, at some point I'm afraid I'll get bored. And I've never seen much reason to get kids myself. So perhaps in that aspect, I'm more of a machine.

I'm 34 now. I've dealt with some heavy stuff. Lost my parents and a sister in a car accident when I was ~20 years old.

I agree that the future comes faster than one might think, which is why I'm in such a hurry to achieve my dream future before I'm 40 years old, so I got still plenty of time to enjoy it. My little sister certainly didn't get the chance to live her dream future.

GP was being obnoxious. To be human is to follow your personal calling, which might include building a family, or might not.

The trick is that your calling may change -- many children young folka grow to desire children, many lonefolk grow to desire a partner or would be happier with one -- so it helps to prepare for potential changes in your motivations and desires. Saving money is a great way to prepare to change. As is investing in a marketable skill.

I am also 34 and have much the same plan as you, just I had to revise the figures a few times as I had kids :) The increase in required house size + university = loads more cash required to be financially independent. If you know for sure those things won't happen then maybe you can go for 100K. Still, old age could become expensive, we won't be young and healthy forever. You basically need more than 100K so that you have an upward trend continuously to old age. You can't just cover your costs on the interest (and 6% is dangerously optimistic). Good luck to you though.

Hey, how are you going with the problems you talked about here? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10169937

Hey, thanks for asking! The thread was encouraging that it wasn't time to change fields; I'd say I'm making quiet progress.

Since then I've spent a lot more time thinking about what I want to be doing: work has been slack so I've had fewer chances to see how I now am decomposing software. But I've started to enjoy programming again :)