Money is important. Nothing else can be used to easily purchase shelter, clothes, and heat. And last I checked in America, you can't pay your rent or mortgage with anything but Money. You need it to eat and you need it to have somewhere to live. Real Estate ownership gives you the chance to add to your wealth every month. Your in Real estate or someone in your household is in real estate. Everyone unless your homeless is Paying rent , paying mortgage or they positioned themselves to receive rent payments and mortgage payments. From Tenant To Landlord to Freedom.