[xvedejas]

I think about this often myself, since it's a real possibility I'll end up with a windfall eventually. I'm not sure how to provide you with suggestions specific to your interests and situation, but I can share my personal conclusions, at risk of this being a bit of a weird comment.

On the event of financial independence, I'll focus on building a larger coliving community of people who I trust and share similar interests and values to me. I already practice this on a small scale, by splitting a large house with four longtime friends. It has been great for my mental health and social life, as well as professional life, to live with other low-drama young professionals. But long term as we grow older I think there will be an expectation for more room, likely for families, and I think this is a problem that more money can help fix. Anyway, to the degree that I and my housemates have our shared values and resources, it already has enabled me to pursue pro-social goals without particular need for an employer to empower me. My personal sense of impact has been confined to just our broad social group, so maybe if you're concerned about having impact at the societal level, this wouldn't be satisfying to you (it is to me). But, (and sorry if this all sounds vague), I have found that the impact I've been able to have on our broader social group by providing a focal point for both fun and productive activities is the most accessible way I've been able to have any measurable impact on society. I don't regret thinking small.

[flamboyant_ride]

Thanks for that response, not weird at all. In fact the more I read, I understand what values feel right to me and am able to find groups / communities with the same values somewhere. This has in fact been one of my thoughts as well, perhaps with more time I should be open to explore living in a small community with shared values as mine.

> I don't regret thinking small.

Makes sense to me.