Now, you MUST become educated no matter what you do. In either situation if you hand your money over to some "ADVISOR" to take care of your hard money, you are asking for trouble (Unless it is certain RIA, look it up. Nevertheless, the road there is slow and steady and secure. Not quicker, secure and fun.) . That's how disappointment and a retirement deffered is created. You must actively consistently never-endingly (is that a word or phrase) educate yourself for success in order to see any substantial, life changing gains in net financial worth. PERIOD.
TV commercials lie. Most brokers lie. If brokers knew how to be wealthy from investments, they would not tell you. They get paid on sales. BOTTOMLINE. They sell the offering of the day. They do not care if it makes you money. Check out the move "Margin Call". It really goes into depth on what happened at Lehman Brothers. I know it's about Lehman Brothers because of friend of mine was at Lehman Brothers at the time that was going down.
How bad do you really want it.
I work an 8 hour day ( twice a week 10) with one of the longest commutes in the country (1.5hr - 2hr one way), and I do. What about you?
Divorce your excuses, marry the TRUTH. The truth is, you can create whatever you want, but EDUCATION is the KEY.