There I was in the middle of a perfect conversation with a 401(k) participant who obviously knew what he was talking about. His knowledge of investments nearly surpassed that of one of those 24-7 Wall Street wunderkinds. And he was a mere shop worker on a factory floor!

I've spoken to hundreds of people just like this guy. They come from modest means, earned a modest education and live a modest living. In fact, they're background is not that much different than the typical financial professional. The only difference is they don't punch computer keys at some desks, they punch the buttons that drive those mechanical beasties which build much of the world's manufactured goods. In other words, they work the kind of jobs that built America. And they're smarter than their often given credit for – especially when it comes to retirement savings and investing.

That shouldn't surprise you. After all, successful retirement savings and investing requires one thing above all else – discipline. You don't need a PhD. in rocket science to know discipline. You just need guts, self-confidence and good old-fashioned determination. These are traits formed in the playgrounds, sandlot fields and, yes, even the streets of our vast nation.