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What does “value” mean to you? To me, the word “value” means priceless—things money cannot buy.

The problem with the American mentality is that we put such importance on material things and not on things that are valuable.

I cringe when I read inspirational or financial books that encourage people to strive to buy their “dream home.” What kind of message does that send? That people can only be as happy as the size of the home they live in? That they are better parents for providing a bigger home for their children?

The economic and real estate collapse we’ve recently endured should deliver a big message for those people striving to buy their “dream home.” I’m going to tell you: Do not buy your dream home. Learn what you can afford on paper, and then buy a home for half that price.

I know…you’re thinking, “WHAT?”

A client account I recently read about out of Austin, Texas, is a perfect example. After a couple finished school together in 2007, they decided to buy their first home. They went online to a dozen different mortgage calculators, and sat down with a mortgage broker. The mortgage calculators asked about their income and any debt they had.