Don't raise the bar too high. You don't have to be a millionaire. Sure, you should try, but you still live life one day at a time and shouldn't set yourself up for disappointment. Not everyone can be independently wealthy, and you probably don't really want to be (it takes away your drive). These days high status means being able to afford a nice home or to put away Gold and Silver. I'd say $125,000 per year is the minimum high status income, but if you have debt that's not much either. Having no debt and $50,000 savings is a good start.