Yep. Living frugal has big advantages. You can just walk away if you need to. I don't have 25 years saved up (well, maybe I do counting retirement savings and I am getting pretty close to that 59.5 age where I can access them) but I can go a good while without working. Our cars are 20+ years old and still going strong, our mortgage on our very modest house will be paid off in a month or two. You have to be willing to trade status symbols for freedom.