Tempesta - Good question. I know what you're wrestling with, and obviously everyone is different. That said, I think that a lot of folks, as we age, come to a point where we realize that "spending money to get more stuff" has, at best, a diminshing return in terms of generating happiness. The problem is, by the time you realize that, it's too late to instantly achieve financial independence and gain the freedom of calling your time your own. So, you need to start working toward that goal early, or else, I'm affraid, your clock will run out first.
There's a great book called "Stumbling on Happiness" (by Daniel Gilbert) that you might want to check out (of the library). It really helps you focus on what's important in life. Even though it's not really about ER, it helps you think through what "happiness" is all about and will maybe change your thinking on both how you're leading your life now and what you want in the future. Good luck.
Stay Cheap!
-Jeff Yeager