That's eerily similar to the people you meet in startups:

- most consultants

- "lifestyle businesses"

- "worked at facebook, give me money"

So much hype in both industries, for similar reasons. There are always ways for smart people to make money. Most people with some experience in either industry are doing better than the national average but hardly wealthy and generally spend too much money.

I do get the impression there's better pay in finance though. $250k as an experienced engineer strikes a lot of people as high. $250k for someone w/ a few years at a good hedge fund is... about right, maybe even low.