OK, maybe 13 is a bit young.

But I started contributing to my RRSP when I was still in school.  And the result is, once my mortgage is paid off, I will be able to retire when *I* want to retire.  In other words, if I chose to work until I am 65 or 70 (or pull a Warren Buffet and work until I am 90), it will be because I enjoy what I am doing.  Not because I can't afford groceries on the pittance I get from CPP and OAS.