$1 Million 20 year term. Preferred MALE in CA
starting at
age 25 $425 a year
age 30 $438 a year
age 35 $450 a year
age 40 $645 a year

At age 25 committing to paying $8,500 over 20 years
for $1 million in coverage doesn’t sound crazy.
The odds are you will waste the money but provide security to your family “just in case”

If one had to choose, I’d say that protecting your family is more important than HBO or alcohol or other frivolous expenses.
There might even be a way to have your employer pay your premium with pre-tax dollars. Less than $40 a month.

$100K policy is $110 a year.
$500K policy is $250 a year.
Lower coverage seems like a poor choice unless that’s all you can really afford.