I graduated from law during in 2008, entering the job market just as firms and local governments started postponing hiring. My exit from school was timed just right to grab a job opening at a small law firm in a small city. My entire experience from 2008 to 2018 has been living as frugally as possible.

Yes, the ensuing economic expansion was good for the economy in general, which allowed me to gain some upward mobility and change to higher paying jobs. This allowed me to start paying student loans, save for a downpayment on a house, get married, have children, and buy some used cars.

But this is far from the riches and lifestyle I imagined would wait me as an attorney.

Yes, there are lawyers that graduated with me, and after me, that have done really well. But I chose a more conservative and restrained path, favoring a modest lifestyle, and trying to live a life on one income even though we have two earners in our home.