| Most Americans will not reach financial independence - or even some level of financial security - without investing. But there can be no investing without first saving... which means deferring gratification and living beneath your means. If you're unwilling to do that, you're not likely to meet your most important financial goals. And who is to blame? Parents? Teachers? The government? Employers? Rich people? Capitalism? No. The answer is the face in the mirror. That's why it irks so many successful people when they're told that the key to solving the nation's wealth inequality is much greater redistribution. It's not that they are uncaring or hard-hearted. They know that high levels of redistribution is not about providing a social safety net, something that almost everyone supports. It means taking money from people who worked and saved and sacrificed and giving it to those who - by their own admission - are unwilling to change their lifestyles to secure their financial future. And this is done in the name of fairness? I don't think so. As my brother - a retired builder - likes to say, "Everyone talks about inequality of income. But no one talks about inequality of effort." The American Dream is an achievement, not an entitlement. Moreover, the people who have given up on achieving it are missing out on the best part: not the destination but the journey. Working harder, saving more, and investing wisely are struggles, yes. But they pay off enormously in the end. Arthur Brooks, a social scientist and former president of the American Enterprise Institute, emphasizes the concept of "earned success" as a key driver of human happiness and fulfillment. He defines earned success as the belief that you create value in your life - and in the lives of others - through effort, skill, and perseverance. Money alone doesn't make anyone happy. It is an end but a means to an end. Financial success does not guarantee happiness. Instead, people find lasting satisfaction when they achieve something through their own efforts, in their careers, their relationships, and in their personal growth. People who survive on government handouts - or other unearned rewards - often lack meaning and purpose in their lives. They lack dignity. Why? Because their success is unearned. When you build a career (or a business), raise a family, or master a craft, you have a sense of progress and achievement, not just material wealth. Anyone, regardless of their background, can achieve success in this country. But it does require hard work, perseverance, and self-reliance. (As the old saying goes, the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.) I'd like to reassure all the young people who are struggling. I know it's tough out there in this economy. I know that paying your bills and getting ahead is difficult. But that's why you need to reframe your thoughts. Instead of being afraid to look at your bank balance or overwhelmed by the complexities of investing, you can begin to think of achieving your dreams as an enjoyable challenge. Embrace the journey. And when you get to the destination - the place where money is no longer a major concern in your life - remember that the biggest payoff won't be where you are or what you can afford. It will be that feeling of earned success. Good investing, Alex | 
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