To all the successful, experienced members - Was it all worth it?

I'll be 29 soon, and am going through an existential crisis.  I grew up very poor and tried to do everything by the book to escape my hellish earlier years.   So before college I pretty much just studied, in college it was study and work, and after graduation it's work; I have never partied hard(never even smoked weed).

I'm frantically trying to climb the corporate ladder because I think money is the biggest/kind of only thing that can make me find happiness.  Of course everyone will say family is, but not until I get married(mother left when I was younger, etc.).  People have told me I'm obsessed with money, power, and respect.  When you and your family sorely lacked those things growing up you tend to want it even more.

But I can't help but think how much not taking advantage of my youth will cause severe regret when I'm older.

So to those of you who are very successful(>=200k/yr or net worth >= 1.5 million) and are 47 years old and up, and had to scramble at the expense of your social life when you were younger because you were born poor, has your success been worth it?

Keep in mind that if you are ridiculously rich and say "yeah it was worth it" that might be a little obvious.

I voiced a similar concern in an earlier thread and the general consensus was to take time off and travel.  I've actually done that, though maybe not for as long as they were suggesting.  I didn't gain much from it.  I don't think I should try it again since my career is just starting to get into second gear.

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by globetrotter 

I just barely fall into the income range, 46, not the net worth range. I was dirt poor, too. I am happy that I can afford to live reasonably well and give my family a good life. I honestly don't need more than I have, and if I sacrificed more and worked harder and took more risks, I could probably make more money. so you have to find the balance, you want a reasonable amount of disposable income, but you need to be able to spend time with your spouce/kids, you want to have some time for yourself, you want to enjoy your job, more or less.

reading, that doens't sound too helpful. good luck

No, your post was along the lines of what I was looking for.  Although you were poor, did you have a good social life growing up?  Because people can be poor and have a good social life, unfortunately that wasn't the case for me because I went to school with a bunch of rich kids.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bringusingoodale 

I think it will be worth it.

Not answering directly, but I have 30 something friends and know friend of friends who are pushing 40 with no assets, little work experience. I suppose they were the typical 'too cool for school' crowd.

Frankly, it is quite pathetic to be in that situation.

I say keep working hard, buy some apartments, make some more investments and learn to be a self-reliant good citizen.

Oh, and there are many women today, given the economic change of events, who place gainful employment and wealth above the traditional criteria, so what I am saying is you can also get your pick of women if you play it right.

Women who put wealth above traditional criteria like personality or even looks are fucking disgusting and I would never want to be with someone like that.