Invest in Real Estate

The current Real Estate Market is not only favorable for Buyers, but for Investors as well. Property selection and low rates, coupled by Builders and Bankers willingness to do almost anything to move their inventory makes this the best market in years in terms of investing in Real Estate to diversify your investment portfolio.
Whether you’re buying a second home, rental property or buying property to flip now is the time to invest. Don't wait for the Real Estate Market to turn around, buy low and hold onto the property until the Market recovers then sell for profit. This is nothing new people have been doing this successfully for years; it's just new to you.
Additionally, if you hold onto a property for over twelve months it becomes a long-term investment in the eyes of the tax collector and you will pay less in capital gains upon the sale of said property.

Oh yeah, if you don't have an investment portfolio to diversify, well that's a problem in itself.
It will be extremely difficult to free yourself financially without investing. Put your money to work. Better yet, buy Real Estate and put the Bank's money to work for you.