I am here in San Diego against my will; however, that doesn't mean I can't continue to save and invest.

It's tough to budget for success here in California. Living in a high-cost-of-living area requires a mindset that most people cannot fathom.

First, I rent a room and drive a $17,000. Those two items are how I keep my expenses low from the start.

Next, I give myself $50/day for food, gas, and miscellaneous items. I can stay under budget reasonably easily.

This gives me a total of $3,000/month to live while I make $170,000 in earned income. I can now save and invest the difference. Good Luck!