How do you differentiate between a visionary and a daydreamer? A few days ago, a close friend of mine boldly declared his goal to be financially free by 2016 (this year). If it was any stranger, I would not have raised an eyebrow.  But knowing my friend, who is a father of two toddlers and has just moved into a spanking new $1.9 million condominium unit, his proclamation does cause some concern. To start, his mortgage is still applicable, possibly a seven-digit figure.  His kids are younger than schooling age.  His lifestyle cannot be considered as thrifty either. Granted, working as a dental surgeon, he possesses a high take-home salary.  Even then, to be truly debt free and financially independent, he has a couple more years to go.  A decade perhaps. At one juncture, my wife and I wondered if he was ......