I used to pursue highly compensated careers, and now I don't rely on a paycheck. I occasionally pursue some high value commission deals just because I have the network for it, and this can top up my accounts whenever.

I travel a lot and go to a lot of coveted events: it isn't that expensive.

If you already had a highly compensated career (low six figures, high 5 figures in a no-income-tax state), your biggest issue was time.

Stock market fluctuations cost more than going out. Being on the wrong side of the market costs more than the last minute flight to the other side of the world in the middle of summer.

What do you think your friends really did that you abstained from? I'm sure you have a couple of observations, but I think the real conclusion is that you missed out. Quitting work and raising a child is a coveted outcome, for some, but I don't think you know if your colleagues have stunted wealth just because they did things more fulfilling to them.