I had the same thoughts as you when I was your age.

I finished a degree in CE/EE. My entry salary at my current place of employment was around 64K a year. About a year later, it raised to 84K. I told my employer I was looking for my replacement a year out from this past December, and cracked down the last six months of 2014. I could not find one I felt comfortable hiring myself and not leave my employer and fellow employees screwed over. Plus, I like them. To keep me on and not have me quit, I was recently awarded a 12K raise. You do the math.

That income, plus my side income from doing client work, and money here and there adds up to a decent amount. Trust me when I say that even that much is little. I'm not a big spender, thrifty for myself, spendy for others. I'm a simple person with simple pleasures.

I live in Los Angeles county, in a city that isn't too expensive. It's cheaper than the actual LA city. Unless you're a single developer making $220K+, it isn't a lot of money. I've got a girlfriend, I plan on being married at the end of my 20s and having a family. My income will likely go to that amount I just mentioned, and to be honest, it'll still be little. As time goes by, the CoL index rises and I want to give my kids the same stuff my parents gave me, if not more.

When I was young, I was enamored with the high salary. Now it's been a few years since I finished my undergrad, and while I like money, I don't necessarily work for it out of greed or love for the stuff, but rather just work and keep me occupied.

When your income gets that high if you start ate 65K, and then when it reaches mine, speak to a specialist to minimize your tax debt, because that will hurt you.

Also I feel you on the cheapness. I'll spend money on others, but for me, I'll buy the cheapest shit available. Even though I know buying the name brand will mean using less or whatever. I personally want to buy a house as soon as possible before the prices skyrocket again.