Aloysius:

Love the screen name. Personal significance or are you a Preston & Child fan?

First, great post and a hearty good for you for talking about this before rushing to make a decision. The guys on here will not steer your wrong.

I "bought" my first double last year, when I was 29. I say "bought" because I found one I loved and was prepared to buy it when I told my dad what I was doing. He wanted to go with me to Hendershot's to look at it. When I was ready to buy it, he bought it for me, under the condition that I put my money into my son's college education savings account. So we look at it like everyone lucked out.

I have been truly blessed in my life. I have a great job, wife and family. I too have always wanted a DR from a young age. I knew I'd get there as long as I reach some other goals first.

I own a home, max out my retirement account each year (and my wife's) and fund my son's college savings account as much as I can.

I saved my money and bought something that I always wanted. I can't afford to go to Africa any time soon (because of my financial plan), but that can wait. My future and my son's college is more important to me now than anything else.

Just my two cents...