Think I heard that $75k figure bandied about when I was in college, and that was over 20 years ago when gas was about $1.25/gallon and $300k got a decent house in a Jersey suburb (or a near-mansion in my part of Central Texas).

So probably somewhere in the $150k-200k/yr range today.

In all likelihood a 75k number was output to an equation where there are two earners making that because I agree the 125 to 150 range is where households begin independence now. Anecdotally, I've debated this with friends and often times luxary and entertainment is 100% overlooked when in reality people have to do some sort of hobby or entertainment to make life tolerable.

Agree. Money buys time, with time, you can workout, sleep and eat better.

The challenge is that the option to use money to resolve issues fast becomes to a tendency to resort to the conveniences of money. This tendency censors me from meaning embedded in everyday life, and it's something i have to work to avoid.

Not even getting to the part about all the sacrifices I've made to make this money.

I’ve always taken this old saying to be a warning about not giving up too much life in the endless pursuit of more money

Sure, but like anything it's a balance. There's a point where vigorous pursuit of money will help, and a point at which there are diminishing returns.