Can you deduct the amount you spent on a REI Seminar Training ?

[Angelle James]

Hey Good Afternoon Everyone, This question is primarily for the seasoned REI and or CPA Here's a little bit of my situation. In my search for buying a home at 26yrs old this year, I stumbled across an ad for a free REI seminar. If you know where this is going, I was basically sold by GURUS to spend a large sum of money to receive training in RE investing. In addition to the money I had saved and an awesome credit score, I applied for 3 Credit cards. Purchased a 26k package with the "Dave Seymour Gurus" and you know my credit score hurtfully fell below average.This has placed me in a bigger hole, not to mention I was recently laid off a month ago and still looking for a new job. During my free time I've read a few books, even the bigger pockets book by Brandon turner " No or Low Money Down..... Awesome book! If I would have known that BiggerPockets could have simply equipped me, I could have saved my money and my credit. While I'm dealing with a rough patch.... Can someone let me know if I can write off the total expense paid as an educational expense to start up my business? even if it through my credit cards?