I am the product of unconventional Chinese parents. They did not force me to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. They neither cared when I was the bottom of my class in first grade nor pushed me to be a virtuoso pianist + mathematics genius. I am grateful for such.
However, they also do not practice one of the greatest virtue of Asian culture… save money and build wealth.
So here I am.
I started working multiple jobs at 14, and have continued doing so through college, medical school, and now residency training.
I choose an all-consuming career with the most delayed gratification of all professions in American society. I bust my head to get into and complete medical school. Did the same to get into residency where I “reside in the hospital,” finally earned the privilege to work 80+ hours week with no lunch breaks. My first real paycheck as a fully boarded/licensed physician is still more than 5 years ahead of me.
Since I have given all my youth and energy to medicine, I refuse to be Also BURIED alive with student loan.
If you are about to start intensive training/schooling (college, graduate school, medical school, business school, law school, etc.), during which you can hardly make a real income on the side, give some thoughts to my recommendation so that you can start your dream job with a zero, or better, positive net worth instead of being in a financial black hole like many of my contemporaries.
The tips that helped me minimize debt apply widely to anyone in or out of school.
Combine the hindsight that I have now with the rules I have lived by, you will enjoy even greater success than mine 🙂