College also gave me solid background and confidence.That said, you have to be strategic about it.

You have to be strategic, not emotional.

All of those people giving short-term advice, are not being strategic thinkers --- I am self-employed 90% of my time and I am working towards 100% self-employment and full financial freedom.  

His only benefit was from equity paydown(paying the mortgage) his advice was count on 50%, obviously heavily influenced by tenant turnover.On current strategy, the world is yield starved with low rates of return on everything, so many are accepting formally unthinkable returns as "better than money in the bank"I would be firmly in the "time to re-strategize" camp, and think the artificially low interest rates will cause a lot of malinvestment as financial engineering usually does.7.5% should be doable with multifamily or syndicationAlthough there seems to be no end to those who will overpay, perhaps not understanding actual costs or investing for other reasons(besides cashflow) on the commercial side.

I'm not saying that is going to happen to you, but use history as an opportunity to think strategically about your future.I received my degree in Business / Finance and I have absolutely no regrets.

Ultimately, in my opinion college will teach you to learn and think more critically and strategically.

You don't think it's better to spend time strategizing then mindlessly bussing tables

Werehouser   and Harvard and Hancock finance a bunch of it for the bigger operators.but I am talking about private holdings in the 500 to 2000 acre range.. strategically planted and harvested then replanted these are just like any other farm enough to live on that revenue alone.. unlike farming though.. you don't have to work the land.. you can pre commercial thin you can do a Little fertilizing but not necessary.. when you log you just hire a contract logger... some of the bigger mills will manage the sites if they get the wood.. but you don't get top dollar like if you hire your own loggers ..

If you think the economic end is near, start thinking of ways to have a strategic advantage when/if it does happen, but also take a portion of your earnings and invest in case the sky doesn't fall.  

I would say "strategic frugality."