If you started from the bottom and then achieved incredible success, then you have plenty of examples to make the comparison between what is the most important area of Investment you can make.The reason why someone who started from the bottom can really give clarity on what is most important is because someone like me can point out the people in our lives that have FAILED to achieve anything close to our results.The Rags to Riches story gives you incredible insights.When you are DIRT poor like I was in my childhood, ALL your friends are like you...

But, as a saver from childhood, I can’t ever imagine not saving a chunk of my income.

I grew up in a less than ideal situation so my passion is to give back to the youth who have/had similar childhoods as myself.

@Alan DeRossett I see you are from Thousand Oaks, I grew up in Moorpark and loved my childhood but once it came time for me to get married, have a family, and purchase a home I quickly up and left to Utah, followed by my parents and brothers who are all high earners, because financially and politically California isn't for me.

(My family is from Brooklyn so I spent a lot of my childhood there).

The only property I own is the SFH that I reside in with my bride in Smiths Station, AL.  

But, you'll have to let me know by X date if you decide to take that option, and we can put it in writing,"What helped me when I was first learning to do this, was to picture a childhood adult figure I knew I could never pull one over on, and that their word was final.  

Such as @James Vermillon -My father was in the Air Force for all of my childhood so I completely understand about transferring from base to base.During high School I went to 3 different schools.

Sally wants top dollar, John wants a quick close, Jennifer wants a family with a dog to purchase it, Bill wants a non-contingent offer, Rose thinks the market gives a crap about her childhood memories there and should value the home accordingly, and the listing agent just says "sure, you can have ALL of that!"

Parents that take advantage of children are parents not worth having.I agree that kids take advantage of parents through most, if not all, of childhood.