I want to give an honest account of what living on a 40% savings rate looks like when you earn a middle-class income.

Household income: $82k gross, ~$63k net after tax and retirement contributions.
40% savings rate target: $25,200/year, or $2,100/month.

What $2,100/month in savings funds: maxed Roth IRA ($583/month), additional brokerage contributions ($800/month), and HYSA ($717/month for goals and reserves).

What's left for spending: $40,800/year, or $3,400/month. This covers:

• Rent: $1,100/month (2-bedroom outside the city center, shared with partner)
• Groceries: $350/month
• Transportation: $180/month (paid-off car)
• Utilities + phone + internet: $150/month
• Health insurance premium: $85/month (employer-subsidized HDHP)
• Remaining discretionary: ~$535/month

The $535/month for dining, entertainment, personal care, clothing, and everything else is genuinely limited. It requires real choices. But the system works and the progress is real.