Yeah I have a few of those friends too. Most notable is a friend with a PHD from scripts who opened a brewery in Kernville. He works pretty hard though…plays hard though as well.

Personally, I am most jealous of my fire and medic friends who have a pretty well paid job with strange schedules. They have ungodly amounts of free time, and money to play with. One of my friends (grew up in SD) works as a fire medic in Mammoth and takes off the better part of a few months every year to chase the snow melt in his kayak.

I am not looking to reopen this subject of public pay, but I bring it up only to say there are plenty of decent paying jobs where recreation and time with the family is more easily accomplished. If you would be happier doing that sort of thing, you will be fine with a 500k buffer.