Agreed 100%, Thats spot on what Ive been doing since I finished college at 21 (5 years ago) Only part I didnt do (and I suppose that has changed now that house prices are through the roof) stay with the folks till 27. The day I got my first job I found a small flat in a great area for R100 000 and got my folks to sign surity, 1 year later I sold it for R300 000, bought the next for R400 000 and sold for R750 000, now my place is worth R1.3m which never would have been possible had I not got in as soon as possible. I also believe never buy a car unless you can buy it cash. Better car= expensive tyres, parts, services, insurance and depreciates by lager amounts. And last pearls of wisdom... NEVER sign a surity, they evil little things with lots of fine print which gets forgotten until the bad times come a knocking in which case is suddenly surfaces and kicks you when you down... (of yes thats the other advise - learn from others mistakes...)