I Would Rather wrote:
7 to 8 million. When you get older, you realize that some of the sums being quoted here, like $100,000 or $150,000, don't alter your life enough to make this amputation worthwhile. I mean, seriously, you'd so this just so you can get a cool car? Really?
If you're totally broke or need to get out from under debts, okay, $150,000 is nice. But just to get a couple of shiny toys, I wouldn't give up part of even the least essential digit.
Actually, $100k right now would guarantee me an actual retirement assuming my current income and rent remain fixed. $100k in 30ish years would be around half a million in today's money assuming real growth of just 5%. Adding that to the retirement portfolio might make a big difference.
I'm not even that squeemish, if I knew things would turn out alright I think I'd be capable of cutting it off myself. Heck, James Franco cut off his whole arm!
I'd be worried about phantom pains though. That kind of thing is no joke.