Is "saved up" including checking account (or taxable brokerage account), RothIRA, and 401K? If you can't use the money until 55 or 59, retiring at 41 is awkward (there are options around that). Also, aren't your investments dependent on people like James doing their 9-5 for as long as possible? Isn't there eventually a cross-over point where "everyone" (majority) is investing and no one is working? (perhaps that is somewhat related to the cause of a crash, where eventually that crash finds a bottom and the process rebuilds itself) // Also, is a house a liability because of the property tax, or because of the repair/maintenance, or both? (or just because of the "stuff" needed to make a house into a home) There are modern VRBO options that Warren, etc. didn't really have in their day, where a (second) home can be rented for enough days to cover its property tax. But anyhow, the point remains: don't buy a house too early and stick within your means. After maxing out 401k, RothIRA, HSA, just buying land or houses is next on the list IMO.