I like that part too but it might be simply too strict. The point is to keep lifestyle changes reasonably small during that first year. Replace your old car worth $10k with a new $40k one (but not $200k) and don't buy many cars. Move from a $0.5M apartment to a $3M home (but not $15M) and preferably rent it for now, you will have better idea what you really like to buy after that year. There's no reason you couldn't get some reward for your hard work - but you need to make it small to don't fall into spending spree.