[hwstar]

Doing this on minimum wage isn't going to work as you can't live below your means at that income level. You do need to learn a trade, or profession (like Engineering) which allows you to save, then live below your means.

There's a lot of entities in this world trying to sell products and services you really don't need. All of this is a big diversion, and most people get caught up in it.

What most people don't realize is, once they get in their mid fifties, it becomes harder to hold on to a high-paying job (Engineers: I'm looking at you) If you don't have a nest-egg built up in your mid fifties, you might be in for a serious lifestyle adjustment.

I was employed as an engineer for over 30 years, and in November of 2014, I was laid off. I'm in my mid fifties. Because I did something similar to what MMM did and lived below my means, I'm not hurting due to the layoff. Would I like to go back to work? Yes. Do I have a choice of how I want to work and for whom I want to? Most definitely. This is what MMM calls a "Position of Strength". If more people lived below their means, and were in a position of strength, there would be a lot more interesting work to be had at a good rate.