This is an important piece ignored often by youth. -- The 19 year old living at home with their parents...that works very hard for 1 year at a modest wage...but invests wisely, if they have no expense. -- Will be very hard pressed to outperform that initial years investment, even with a 6 figure income when they are 39 ...the power of that 20 years. -- But even beginning at 39 were that the case ... 'scientia potentia est' ...there are certainly ways for the will.... -- though, to your point, it would make sense armed with the 'power of the knowledge' of compounding interest in sounds investments .... one can come from modest means ...and be largely 'free' by 40 .... re: emerging technologies, economies, Blockchain