I think based on where I live I would be good with something like 1 million dollars invested earning me a relatively meager passive income. If you figure in my pension that I am going to be eligible to earn before too long I think I could easily live on 50,000 a year coming from investments. Of course that might leave me tight if a major medical issue came up. Money doesn't buy happiness, but it definitely removes a lot of barriers that in turn make your life a bit more enjoyable.