I think an important part of the parth to success is to only use debt, like credit cards, when you can pay the bill in full when it comes. Low interest ,short term mortgage is smart, when you've saved enough, over years, to put down a sizable down payment. Take a chance selling your skill as a small business where you get a nice tax write off while building the business and working. This can be done while working *full time*, until the business grows enough to be self-sustaining. The article is right. For everyday American's we need to make our own American Dream.