For most in this predicament, it has nothing to do with being bad with money. It has everything to do with their income being 80% of their essential bills.

I remember talking with coworkers about bikes and one was recommend bikes to another coworker who wanted to get into cycling and he was recommending some pricey options. I remember thinking that if you want to get into cycling, you really don't have to spend a lot. Cycling shouldn't be about the gear itself. It should be about, well, getting out there and cycling. But for some people, half the fun is spending money on the toys. That same coworker admitted a few weeks later that he bought himself yet another bike, one that was several thousand dollars. Meanwhile I was stressing with my $1200 bike purchase as that felt like a lot of money.

I'm going to assume she grew up in a fairly successful middle class household based on education and some other details in the articles so it's a pretty safe bet money wasn't something she grew up learning how to use efficiently to "level up" one's life.

She's already starting from a deficit because she's a women of how society emphasizes wealth as an indicator for societal success for men more than women so she's not gonna spend her formative years having people tell her to chase the dollar.

Basically her parents didn't teach her and society didn't make her teach herself so it took her 20yr to figure it out.

So take the author. She wants to be a ski bum while she's young. I respect that, actually. So the question such people should be asking is: what skill could I gain that is compatible with that?

Example: being a qualified paramedic/EMT. Why? Ski patrols need them. People get hurt skiing. They always will.

I respect the ability to live frugally (as the author did), especially in order to gain experiences. After all, you won't be young forever. You won't be here forever. How much happier will it make you to live in a small house in a sea of suburbia as a billing code administrator for a health insurance company? But hey, at least you have a 401k and dental.

The author has several false dichotomies in here (IMHO). For example, comparing the "dirtbag" lifestyle to the "rich". There's a whole lot in between there.

Also, living paycheck to paycheck is stressful. So is not having options (eg decision fatigue [1]).

Being a journalist is perhaps not the best choice.

The people people live one paycheck away from being destitute varies but usually it's not because they want to be a ski bum. It's generally because they've taken on long term expenses they can barely afford. It's because they've convinced themselves they need to provide certain things for their children and families, often because they didn't have it themselves growing up. Things like paying for their college, living in a massive house and so on.

In providing these material things I so often see people who don't see their children and bring negativity home because they hate their lives. What good does that do anyone?

So many of the decisions people make I find is to have what other people think they should have. Family, neighbours, friends.

I can't help but feel that the author still misses the point.

[1]: https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/21/magazine/do-you-suffer-fr...

I can so relate to that.

Fortunately my natural instincts appear to leave me with cash at end of month which I move to savings...but that is about the extent of my control over things.

Just look at your bank account and credit card statements? First step in managing your money, is evaluating how you're spending it.

Keep the career, keep investing and keep exploring.

You don't need to quit your job, just make sure its one the does allow flexibility. If its just not working out you may need to suck it up to get a decent job title that will let you jump across to a company that allows you more flexibility. A 2-5 year endeavour but definitely possible.

Outdoorsy gear is expensive, no. Overpriced. Don't buy new. Seriously learn to DIY a bit and repair things. It's easier than you think and a source of accomplishment comes with it.

Finally you don't need years off. Long breaks scattered is much better. If you found the right job you'll actually miss it while away, then miss going outdoors while on the job. Absence should make the heart grow fonder for either part of your life.

    In a 2014 study, he found that 58 percent of affluent people are first-generation wealth, not trust-fund babies.

Maybe I just need to save a bit more and retire. I just love my job and having coworkers, I don't want to give up the 40hr/week job.

Uh, lady, you’re 37 years old. If you seriously want a kid, you need to approach finding a spouse with the same seriousness and intention you (admirably) now approach finances. Otherwise, it ain’t gonna happen.

But I guess that’s another article.

I'm rich _because_ I lived my 20s like I was broke. I went to the other extreme than the author, which is also unhealthy though, finding the balance is just hard.

probably lazy and dumb, yeah, that's it.

i feel better already.

1. People hike somewhere

2. A positive review is written, that attracts more people

3. Because of the increased amount of people going to certain place, a hotel and a restaurant is built.

4. Restaurant workers and hotel workers need a place to live, so they build houses.

5. Houses need a power plant, water, trash service... police stations, fire stations, healthcare.

6. Nature is now gone.

7. The guy in living next to the formerly popular outdoor spot feels like having fun in the outdoors. The cycle is repeated until all outdoor spots are gone.