This IS financial advice: Don't do what I do :)
I've never been in it here for the money. I'm here to do what I enjoy doing. Some writing, but mostly reading and getting to know people. I've spent most of my life doing things for money. I've also taken big chances (and failed) with money. I have enough today, and I know that. So I may as well enjoy what I do.
It's a path, isn't it? If we took every right turn think of the things we'd have missed. Some of the coolest places I've been in my travels are when I'm hopelessly lost. When I'm hopelessly lost and running low on gas I use the GPS, but otherwise I want to see what's next while I'm where I am.
Some of the best nights out are the ones where I planned on staying in, the coolest people I have met in places I wasn't meant to be and a lot of what I value today, I never thought I would. However, financially, I probably should have been a little more thoughtful :) I am more aware of this now and perhaps at the moment with a young family and unexpected cots, but unexpected costs teach their own lessons too.
At some point, enough is enough and I want to get there and have a little breathing room so when I go to the hardware store, I don't have to make tough decisions at the lower end of the range :)