Get enough coming in to continue to support your present lifestyle FIRST.2.

They pitch "here's a lifestyle you can have if you get this card."

But in many areas and for many lifestyles renting is the cheaper alternative.Yes, there are places where houses are dirt cheap.

@Helene R my best advice to you would be to come and stay for at least 2 weeks to a month and make sure the lifestyle here would be suitable to you.

You can take that in several ways, but the best way I use it is either- if someone is living the type of lifestyle I want, I will listen to their advice; or, if someone's advice seems like it will support the way I want to live, I will listen to it.With that premise in mind, Robert Kiyosaki has always been my real estate advice go-to.

Home ownership is a lifestyle choice and for investors would be best but on hold until you have money to burn.

During that time maintain a frugal life style, stay single, study investing, cultivate relationships with like minded individuals and be patient.

I buy and hold so my goal is to bring in enough passive income to support my lifestyle... without needing a JOB.  

But, if I were a typical American, unaware of these plans, and unprepared to research them, then the fact of the matter is that I would not INTEND to use the money in a 401(k) to make lifestyle changes.I believe that in my case, the 401(k) has very little relevance, as I plan to achieve indefinitely sustainable financial freedom very early in life, which would likely result in my wealth continuing to expand perpetually. 

I'm counting with:Owning would make my credit better, forced saving account on mortgageLiving for around 600-700/m total if room is rented Airbnb or month to monthBetter lifestyle than my current rent by far as I live in a room and 4 roommates in apt..Worst case I rent the condo or sell it, refinance Hopefully buy similar 5-10units and rent all, one day all rental profit 5-10k/month