I went from $100K to $200K and to $300K and then to $150K in a relatively short period of time. There's a HUGE difference in lifestyle even with a $100K difference. Obviously it didn't make me independently wealthy, but the difference was still night and day.<p>The $200K+ allowed me to invest in a house in NYC for my family. At $100K I couldn't afford one. Before the house purchase the $200K+ allowed me to vacation abroad 2-3 times a year. The experiences I gained doing that can not be measured in money.<p>But most importantly it allowed me to completely avoid worrying about money. I knew that whatever happened, I wouldn't be in a financial hole. That type of financial freedom is priceless.<p>Obviously if my life situation was different...if I was single or living in less expensive part of the country, I could probably achieve the same financial freedom at $100K.