The smartest investments we can make are in the health and education of ourselves and our children. Sometimes it means moving to find better opportunities for work or better schools. Sometimes it means living where we can walk or ride a bike; spend less time commuting and more time with family and friends.
The dream is not things, the house or the car. The dream is about quality of life. And the revelation is spreading. See: Not buying a home was my smartest financial move.
Not trading our savings for over-priced financial securities is another very wise investment move.