Hmm.. Well, lots of understanding people here. I don't know if this helps, but..
I was in the same boat; 80-100 hours a week, very consistently, and paid well by the hour. Money was never a problem, but there was never any time to spend it. I wasn't buying high-end gear back then, though.
So now I work half as many hours and for half the pay and I have to be much more careful with my money. Even though I am much less able to afford it now and I really have to save for months to buy a nice component, I appreciate it much more. I am also much more careful with my purchases, and in researching and auditioning new components I find I've learned quite a bit.
I don't regret buying back all that time. Music is good for the soul; work and money aren't. And I'm not even supposed to be old enough to know the difference yet.
I was in the same boat; 80-100 hours a week, very consistently, and paid well by the hour. Money was never a problem, but there was never any time to spend it. I wasn't buying high-end gear back then, though.
So now I work half as many hours and for half the pay and I have to be much more careful with my money. Even though I am much less able to afford it now and I really have to save for months to buy a nice component, I appreciate it much more. I am also much more careful with my purchases, and in researching and auditioning new components I find I've learned quite a bit.
I don't regret buying back all that time. Music is good for the soul; work and money aren't. And I'm not even supposed to be old enough to know the difference yet.