and I own two properties.

I totally agree with the premise of your story. For me and my mentoring clients I found that the performance of the income stream is really important. I own residential properties, mainly single-family houses, and I am looking where they are, how the economy of the area is working and developing.

People will always need shelter (houses) and I try to offer them nice, well-renovated houses for a fair rent. I want them to have a home for their family and in the process, the rent is the same kind of income stream you describe. In addition, the asset is being paid off and can slowly increase at least with inflation, often more than that.

What that really does, besides developing retirement as you describe it, is returning to a generational model. I do this because it’s fun and gratifying, but also so my daughter and her kids and whoever in our family come after her will not have to be dependent on the income that is created by exchanging time for money.

We have lost the will to look long term and are falling victim to the constant beat form all sides to be instantly gratified and then move on. That turns us into consumption addicts but people following that beat will never get wealthy.