I agree , but I think the point is less about money and more about lifestyle . If your goal is FI , then a job that would fit your life at that point could be one that pays more , but also doesn ' t make you miserable . You can still have a job that fits your life but also pays well . Viewing it from a nonFI perspective , as the quote says , people buy a life that matches their income level at that point . If I were this person , I would be purchasing a large house , $ 50 k new car , and putting my kids in a highstatus expensive school . If I had this same job with an FI mindset , I ' d still be bringing in the same amount of money , but I wouldn ' t be throwing it around just so I look like I have the job I have . It ' s more about planning out your life , what you would be happy with at that point in time , then choosing a job career that lines up with your prospective lifestyle instead of what most people do , which is to enter a career path that pays well , then try to buy happiness once the paycheques are coming in .