I have a fair number of friends - people that I confide in (as opposed to people that I hang out with). They now encompass a wide range, from early 20's (still in college or just out) to my age or so (40).

This weekend the young just-married couple (he, 24 and a computer programmer, she is slightly younger and a pre-med major) had a weekend of dinner parties both Saturday and Sunday night to inaugurate their new apartment. I was the oldest one there; everyone else was at the most mid-30's and a lot of people were in college still.

At one point I was complimented for not looking 40, which I found both flattering and amusing.

I somehow slipped into "sage old wise man" mode and the husband and I began talking about financial matters. I like him; he's a smart guy but he doesn't pretend to have all the answers yet. He listens well and wants information about those areas where he is not as well-versed, such as taxes and investments and real estate. I was encouraging him to think about what he wants for their future and to begin NOW for retirement. "Save 10% of your salary for now. Even 10% will grow like crazy. Compound interest is a true miracle."

His wife was less open. She has the plan already, but it doesn't include this kind of stuff. She says, "We don't know if we will be living here in a year or not." So she doesn't think it makes sense (note to the reader: we are in Southern California; you can easily gain back the costs of purchasing a home here plus see a little profit in a year. Real Estate has not slowed down here.).

But what struck me about this series of get-togethers was how much I envied these younger folks, because they have more time than I do. Not time in a day, time in their lives. They have 15 more years than I do (or 10, or 6 or whatever). They can save 5 or 6 years more money for retirement; they can buy some property at a younger age and keep it and gain equity. They can retire earlier than I'll be able to. I had to start over 6 years ago with some basic possessions and $6 000. I feel happy to be where I am today, but, damn, if I only had been able to keep it together for the last 15 years Lord knows where I'd be instead.

So, to all you freshly-minted code jockeys, accountants, scientists, marketing and salespeople and other various and sundry folks leaving school soon, listen to this old man: Save 10% starting with your first paycheck! Use your company's 401(k) or open an IRA or equivalent plan. Do it. You'll be able to reire early, hit the road and never look back. And THAT is the best revenge.