I have had (like many people) quite a rollercoaster over the past few years, and after making more money than I needed, and then having the rug pulled out from under me, I remember telling my brother "I just can't wait to get back to an equilibrium" and once I got back to that point, I appreciated it so much more and came to understand that blowing any surplus income (or even worse, money we don't have) is the equivalent of flushing years of your life down the toilet. I love your perspective on money as a form of freedom and couldn't agree more.

I was refuting his assertion that running a fast food joint pays as well as programming. Not that making more money by programming will make you happier.