Getting a salary that pays rent/mortgage and puts food on the table doesn't always have to be about being in a rat race (which is what the "laddering" bs really means), to the contrary.

People generally have different needs. Some want expensive Porsche with their mortgage and food on the table.

Some want luxuries like insulin.

Sure, what's your point though? How much % do you donate out of your salary to fix global poverty?

Because context is hard, I guess, my point is that "exiting the rat race" is generally something that only people with Mountain View addresses and opinions like "400k TC really isn't THAT much, if you think about it" tend to be able to do.

Sure. And they have to accept the consequences of considering that a need.

How much does food and electricity cost for you right now?

A lot more compared to 3-4 years ago, still not reason enough to sell my soul and trying to re-enter the rat race.

"Just exit the rat race", says someone not facing repossession and foreclosure.