How a family of 3 lives in San Francisco without working

Pretty much sounds like my situation.

Work your butt off until your late 20s, live cheap, have enough money to stop caring.

I work a day job because I like my coworkers. Sure I'd probably need to work at least a minimum wage job for the rest of my life to survive, but right now I could live for 5 years on my investments.

That kind of security changes things, I do things out of interest and enjoyment.

I get paid great at my job, but its an extra benefit of the necessary social atmosphere I need to be around daily. I tried working alone and I hated it.

Very quickly for professionals, life stops being about survival but rather fulfillment. I live frugal so I can spend money on grand projects.

Sam Dogen has a super famous blog called : Financial Samurai