I went back to OPs original post. And, I realized that a year after I joined TPF, I gave a partial answer
The truth is, between DH and me, all five criteria somewhat apply. And, we’ve been very fortunate to succeed in following
our dreams (one of many reasons why I took a long hiatus of many years from TPF was 1. My H SA left; and 2. bc life became exceedingly busy lol
. So I would say, be realistic about your dreams; and then, work extremely hard. And, then, you still have to be willing to sacrifice and hopefully be lucky. Bc even if you are born into money, or marry it, there are strings attached unless you make it yourself.
I hope wherever
@littlepea is, or whatever she has chosen to do, she is happy and fulfilled. She started this thread a year after 2008, which was the subprime mortgage disaster, and I’m sure that caused many of us to revisit our goals and direction.