I will have to think about that one. I agree with the bulk of your premise however financial independence is a larger topic than just the values of assets. A person can change their lifestyle to reduce the need to rely on the financial system. Rural subsistence living was an early form of american independent living. It seems to me that to some degree America seems interested in returning to some of those concepts.

In regards to real estate it is not very popular right now however it will come back. In 10 years most values will be back to where they were two years ago and more so. Labor, land scarcity and material costs to home construction will insure that values continue to increase over time.

Skyhigh