This is somewhat extreme but watch how this Canadian couple chose financial independence over home ownership. They are in their 30s and, well, they are retired. If we qualified for a BTO HDB 5 room flat which costs, maybe, $500,000 today, why do we need to buy a condominium which costs $1.5 million, for example? If we didn't need so much living space, would a BTO HDB 3 room flat in Choa Chu Kang which costs less than $180,000 be good enough for us? Now, would you rather have $1 million in income producing assets (e.g. income stocks) or a $1 million home (which doesn't generate income but instead would incur expenses)? Very often, people over consume when it comes to housing and, not surprisingly, they might also be the people who find financial independence out of reach despite enjoying higher than average earned incomes......