Anonymous wrote:I don't have any of these issues by investing my money in an S&P 500 index fund.
People don't trust markets, they don't do the math, and don't understand this at all. most go for real estate and you cannot talk them out of it.
My family members who go on and on how they made $80k from their last home. They just got their equity back. Had they rented the same house or similar and invested the money, they would have had $200k.
Same with out other home. We got $50k of our own equity out and family member thinks this means we paid no rent for 10 years. In reality, we lost $200k and were unable to leave the crazy neighbor behind.
I'm renting now. My rent was increased and I gave notice. I can get cheaper rent in the same building and my landlord can try to get what he wants. Win-win.