[manaboutown]

Well, I would start out advising one at an earlier age, perhaps about age 15.

The first thing I would suggest is invest in the best education possible in accordance with one's abilities and interests. One's education is something one can never lose in a divorce, bankruptcy or catastrophe. In most cases it also determines one's future socioeconomic demographic - income level and lifestyle.

Then I would encourage one to always live well below one's spendable income, save a reserve and then invest. The earlier one starts and the more one saves and wisely invests the sooner one can become financially independent. As stated above by I2ridehd low cost diversified mutual funds are the safest and surest way to invest over the long term for almost everyone.

From my teens on I have invested in real estate but it is not for everyone.