[squiffy]

They say that long term a successful index fund can return on the order of 10% a year. And the returns won't be taxed until you sell.

Real estate apprecation depends on the location and the amount of leverage you pay, how much you put down etc. But real estate returns can be tremendous and are tax free or tax deferred, largely, until you sell.

Poker earnings, assuming the govt ever finds out about them are taxable, in theory.

I guess you need to compare returns. But also diversify. If you can make a lot higher return playing poker, then play poker until your bankroll is so large that the extra money is really not needed for playing poker.

Then when you invest the EXCESS MONEY, the money will be working for you and making money while you sleep and eat and play poker.

The neatest thing about investing is that it's like owning a slave. A $50,000 downpayment on a home or a $50,000 investment in a good index fund or good stock, can be like a servant who works for you 24 hours a day, but doesn'tcomplaint, doesn't get sick, doesn't get tired, and keeps bringing money to you everything he earns.

Let's say you can make 10% a year on the stock market.
And let's say you invest 100K in stocks. Every year, without you lifting a finger, the money brings in 10K.
Then the 10K brings in 1K, then the 1K brings in etc. etc. Compounded interest. Reinvested dividends and interest. Wowie.

Yowie.