SANguru is right on; everyone wants/needs/wishes for more dough:
the lotto win, Ol'UncleErnie croaking and leaving you a few mill no one
knew he had, the big hit in Vegas, etc., etc. Probably isn't gonna
happen, so one has to make some plans and get it done via your own
and your spouse's efforts.

I've lectured here before, but my jibe is no matter what course you take,
pay yourself first, save, live under your means, save, invest...plan, save,
and then one day you wake up and realize you don't have to carry the
bag anymore, or carry it so diligently, if you don't want to.

But, imo...the amount of ones' dough is not an exact affecter of/on your
own happiness or personal well being.

Ahhh... and here is Josh's touching story teamed with his usual warm, understanding tone... :confused:

Josh, my man... when I was in college, with little money, there was no "pre-tax dollars" to make work for me. For many of us (though obviously not you), figuring out if we were going to have enough money to pay the rent was a -- well, monthly occurrence.

I know you work very hard now, and make very good money. Most of us here do. However, if you cannot identify with having to struggle through college with loans and crappy jobs -- you know, the original question, do me a favor... do not post condescending comments aimed at those who did.

Juan

I may have gotten it all wrong, and it may not have been very smart, but if I hadn't taken out student loans, I could not have afforded to finance my education. :)

:iagree: If it worked, there's no fookin way it can be wrong!

I was fortunate back in the 60's when tuition was not excessive that my father felt an obligation to pay for my sister and my schooling. My 5 year undergrad was a co-op program that gave me spending money for books, etc. I have continued the tradition by absorbing the total cost for both of my kids undergrad and grad school. Later on in life I have experienced the pressure of 6 figure loans and did not want that kind of pressure added to my children starting out their lives. Now if my son would give me back my AMEX and my daughter my VISA I can start to plan for retirement.
Fred

Made my own way. Worked during the day, went to U of M at night..paid my own way. Bought my first new construction at 20 (with all my own money), got my first job out of college paying around 58,000/yr with a 10G signing bonus, then made some more moves, doubled my salary, bought another house, waited that out for a while, started my own company and bought my current place.

BTW my family gross income was 45,000.00 when I was growing up. I made more money with my first real job then my father had in 30 years...not sure what that says about life.

:rofl: ...
DocF,
Take your cards back! :thumbup:

worked hard through college, borrowed left and right, maxxed out credit cards, but now that its all good, STILL has to work hard! you can never stop working hard!!!!

I'm pretty sure he's talking about AFTER school.

why not Juan?? I worked 3 jobs while attending a prestigious school. Got a lot of it paid for through scholarships etc. With the money from that jobs 1 UC job has a 403B and the other proceeds I put into an IRA. Some stocks I put $$$ into include IBM, Motorola, Apple, Genentech, and Exodus. I spent wisely and invested wisely. I never struggled and never took a dime from anybody. It's again how you manage and leverage your $$ that will get you somewhere. For those who missed the boat, well they should rethink their strategy towards financial independence. If you still don't get it, to each their own.