I thought maybe I could invest more than I consume

In your lifetime you will most likely consume more than you invest. I think of investing simply as putting your hard earned income into something that will produce income in the future.

Have you ever heard of the person who made a little out of a lot?
They likely had a great job, lived a great life, but never seemed to have anything to show for it. In the end they had to keep working hard so that they could support their lifestyle.
Then there is a person who makes a lot out of a little. They never seemed to have a lot of income but what they did have they used wisely and in time ended up with a great lifestyle.

Many people waste as much money as they make. It’s not a matter of earning more income but using what they have earned more effectively.

This is the reason why we have our site Where's the Money Gone? It is the universal question of people who consume nearly everything they make in income. Every day they can't work out where their money has gone and they are often confused and frustrated by their apparent stupidity in not knowing where it's all gone.
Like the person who lost a million dollars and then realised they knew exactly where it had gone! They hadn't lost it but lost connection with it. It had simply run through their hands leaving them wondering what to do. Find out more about how to reach your financial goals, and plan for a much better future. Remember you will always need to consume something but if you are careful you can invest and consume the fruit of your investment rather than consuming your seed for planting and producing fruit in the future

http://www.wheresthemoneygone.com/home.html