> If you have a full career in any white-collar profession and don't have a million dollars between your 401k, home equity, IRA and other savings when you retire, you spent too many years living too wastefully.

If only I had known this buying my home at the peak of the real estate bubble (-$150K to net worth), having to take a pay cut when switching employers (effectively -$15K/year) last year, or having to provide financially for my disabled mother (-$20-35K/year).

It sure isn't like I've been living as a rockstar. Life happens. At least I'm only 31 and can still recuperate from above financial setbacks.