I've been employed as a software developer at Big Co. for several years and have been contemplating taking the plunge into startup-land for a while. I've basically been saving every penny, so I have a comfortable cushion to fall back on.
The problem is that I think my lifestyle has left me out of touch with reality and I don't have any way of connecting with ordinary people. I hardly ever buy anything aside from the bare necessities. I don't have any interesting hobbies or activities that I engage in passionately.
For most of the products and services I see discussed on this site, I find myself thinking, who would ever pay for that? I can't remember the last time I've felt wow, that's awesome, I have to get that! If the rest of the world behaved like I did, the economy would collapse.
This seems like a pretty bad place to start, but I've lived frugally my entire life and don't really know how to live otherwise. Am I hopeless?
Of course you can connect to real people. Go talk to them. Connection established.