Tied Up Between Goin Back to School or Continue to Invest?

[Lucy Hernandez]

Hello to you all in the BP Community! As you can see by the title of my topic, I am tied up between, continuing my education or continuing to grow my real estate portfolio. 

I am 24 years old with Associate’s  Degree, annually making 65k. I have been working for about 3 years in a medical related career and from the beginning I knew this wasn’t it for me. As soon as I starting learning more about real estate, I have invtested all my time reading books and doing research, while saving money for a down payment. About 3 months ago, I was able to close up on a property and have my first rental up and running. 

Calculating everything, I would able to pay the mortgage within 3 years while working over time/part time to save up for another property.  Which is really exciting.

I am a believer of hoping for best but  preparing for the worst, that is why I am looking to continue my eduction, to have something a bit more stable.

After much research done, I told myself that if I go back to school, I would shoot for a 4 year STEM degree, possibly Computer Information Systems  or Information Technology. However, that would hold up on paying my rental property and saving money for the next rental. It would take me about 4 years to finish school with an estimate of 50k money invested, let alone time. To be honest, school isn’t really for me but if it’s something I have to then I will. 

My goal in life is to basically have the means to spend as much time with my family with me being my own boss. 

Considering I have somewhat of a base from my 2 year degree, do I continue pursue to build my real estate portfolio (which can be a bit risky if not making the right decisions) or go back to school to feel a bit more secure and stable in the long long run? 

I know the decision is ultimately for me to choose but any input is well appreciated!