This is more than a penchant for claiming the world is going to end. This is predicting a scenario in which you will be comfortable, if not thrive, because YOU knew it was coming, because OF COURSE it was coming, and you were right and maybe you’re more prepared than the next person who was foolish to see the glass as half full when you saw the glass was actually tied to an atomic bomb dropped by an invading alien race.

Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions you make in your life. Sometimes it’s a decision you make multiple times. But the first time usually feels like the biggest and scariest. So of course you want to make sure you’re making the right call.

Investing in the markets – ANY markets – can be a roller coaster. Investing in real estate can be a roller coaster. Investing in Beanie Babies could be the biggest ride of your life.

This seems somewhat obvious when it comes to stocks, as most of us can easily identify the highest highs and the lowest lows we’ve either experienced personally or been made aware of via the ether of the universe. 

Financial Freedom. Financial Independence. Retirement.

You can call it whatever you want, and there are always going to be subtle differences in how we each might define it, but ultimately it means “not having to work.” This is the goal for many Americans, the reason for most of the saving and investing and worrying about our financial future. The Piece de resistance.

My daughter is the wealthiest member of our household because she’s 9 years old and has decades upon decades of time at her disposal. And time is our greatest commodity.