One thing that’s not really been addressed so far is the high likelihood that as you get older, your wants and more importantly, perhaps, your needs, may change. In other words, you may find yourself genuinely needing more money than you ever thought you’d require.
Speaking as a former young man, I know that I would not have considered that one day I might want to have more than overturned crates for my chairs and tables.
More seriously, the want, or need, of a good bed and mattress is a better example of what I’m getting at - chances are your 30 year-old back is more forgiving than it will be at 60. Likewise, shoes. And, to talk about furniture again, if you’re even moderately unlucky, you may find that a comfortable chair (or sofa) become more than a matter of comfort!
And, of course, there’s transportation - I walked everywhere at 30. Now, not so much. Let’s just say that I didn’t choose to become more sedentary. So, a car may become essentially an essential.
Other health issues, while ‘unexpected’, actually become so prevalent as one ages that they should, in fact, almost be expected - think cataracts, hip arthritis, etc. And that leads to one more point about living out your days on some sunny, sandy beach - if you get seriously sick, or injured at, say, age 60, without family or much in the way of truly good friends nearby, you may very much lament not having more bucks at your disposal.
None of which to say is that the idea of taking off to Costa Rica or Thailand isn’t a good one, or isn’t even one I still consider (now that I do have some bucks! ;))
