Im approaching 6 figures of debt. 34 years old. Negative net worth at this point. I own and have nothing.

Sure, education and housing are expensive, but nobody is forcing us to go to school or buy a house. 11 years ago I looked at the numbers and had to decide on a career that justified student debt. Mine does, so agreed to take it on. My vehicles are 20 years old and paid for. We dont vacation. I live in a hammered 3rd floor apartment. We dont eat out. We dont buy new clothes. We are poor.

After I finish school and start working next year, my lifestyle will not change. I will continue to live poor, and 75% of my income will go towards eliminating student loans in the first year, and when loans are gone that money will go to maxing out my 401k and HSA, and the rest will be stached for real estate purchases. We intend to live poor for at least 5 years, and our spending habitats likely wont change much even after that.

I do not EXPECT cheap housing. I dont expect anything. I dont expect to draw any social security. And still, I will have an early retirement because I have a plan. 15 years of calculation and planning.

The greatest thing about America is that my life will be what I make it. Win or lose, its all on me. Its a beautiful thing.