u/duchess5788

I am an immigrant and before coming to the US, I had gone through a period of financial abuse by relatives after losing my parents. So I was (still am, I guess) VERY particular about money. Of course I watched my spending, but in other ways too.

I always, always tried to find coupons if I was buying something online. Even if I found one, I would still spend more time looking for a better one. Saw someone charged me an extra $2 for service? Or got a late payment fees on husband's cc? I'd talk to customer service and try to get it back. Since I found out nw has reached a million, subconsciously I have been changing. A few weeks ago I ordered something online, and I had already found a coupon code which I forgot to use. Today I noticed that I didn't get the $10 autopay discount on my internet and I was like meh, and didn't go talk to customer service. Husband has been asking me to buy some jewelry for myself since my daughter was born, I finally bought a ring last week. Changes like that, some conscious and some subconscious.

The only thing I don't see changing is my spending on food. Because even before reaching this nw, I was never the one to deny myself a take out or dine out. I am perpetually dealing with emotional trauma so I rarely feel like I want to cook lol.

What sort of changes have you observed in your habits after reaching a certain NW?

Edit: I did figure out the autopay discount, just didn't bother to try talking them into giving my discount back for first month of service (it was their mistake).

Another change which I have also noticed is I am more willing to give higher bonuses for services (mailman, trash man, babysitter, daycare, etc.) And don't resent the tipping culture anymore.

Hello lovely people of this sub!

First I wanted to thank you all the proactive members who report posts and comments that violate one or more rules of this sub. The sub is becoming more and more active and only one mod is active, so it is very helpful. Please continue doing so.

I wanted to check what is the stance of members on helping with research about screen effect. On one hand I want to leave this rule untouched, on the other I feel like if we are able to help with LEGITIMATE research, we should. Of course I would not approve a post without getting the proper documents submitted for review.

Please share your views.

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Partner and I both are 38. Have a 3 yo. Our yearly expenses are ~$120k, which includes mortgage, child care and vacations. No other debt except for the mortgage, which is only 4 years old so a while to go buy rate under 3%.

A friend introduced the concept of FIRE a couple years ago and I started seriously thinking about it last year. I figured once we hit the NW of 3mm, not counting our home equity or child's 529, we can plan to retire.

I was talking to that friend last night n they said they won't even dream of retiring before hitting 5mm. They are in a similar situation as us, just mortgage- lower than ours, no debt, comparable expenses and one kid. So I asked how they arrived at that number and they said based on the expenses of LTC, they would be worried with anything under that number.

So now I'm freaking out that I never took LTC into consideration. Should I adjust our plan to work more years or cut down on expenses or both? We have hit 1mm already and based on the amount we are saving annually, we were thinking we would have to work 10 years if the market keeps giving average returns.

I am 38F. About to reach $1M NW, out of which 60% is in retirement accounts. No debts except for mortgage.

When I started working FT in 2013, I didn't know what's 401k (I am not from the US). So only started contributing in 2015. And started maxing out in 2021, even though I could've easily started maxing out a few years earlier. I also just kept all of my savings >$100k in HYSA and didn't start to invest till 2021. Bought a house in 2021. Started backdoor Roth in 2024. And Mega in 2025, which i could've started in 2022 with my new employer.

I discovered FIRE last year so now I think about savings and investments a lot. And can't keep regretting the choices I made in the past.

How to deal with this? How to stop thinking about those mistakes? Is anyone here in the same boat as me?

Hey everyone! I'm u/duchess5788, a founding moderator of r/lowscreenparenting.

This is our home for all things related to navigating todays world with limited use of screens with your kids. We're excited to have you join us! I just realized we never made a welcome post, and wanted to take the opportunity to do so!

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