Very New, No Clue Where To Start

[Brandon Tobalski]

I'm going to start this off by saying I have no idea where to start. I started getting into investing with stocks last summer and after reading several books, everything I keep seeing is to find a passive source of income to build up additional streams and they usually mention real estate. I'm currently in book 2 of the Rich dad series and they have been great so far and somewhat eye opening to a world I would never previously thought about. I would love to get into rentals to begin generating some passive income for my family so that we don't rely as heavily on my day job paycheck.

With that being said, as of right now I am sitting with minimal capital to invest and more debt then I hoped to have at almost 30.  I know Im starting a little later in the game than a lot of people, but see the possibilities. A little more about me to hopefully help point me in the right starting direction. My wife and I bought a house in 2017 (under the assumption it would be our greatest "asset"), we bought 2 new cars back in 2014 & 2016 and are currently still paying for them.  Our total debt with student loans and credit cards is around $315,000. As of now I'm pretty much living paycheck to paycheck and that's where I would like to look into some forms of passive income. Our savings/assets are roughly $5000. 

I am currently military coming from a computer security background with no financial/accounting background.  This is something I do plan to correct in the future, right now I am finishing off my computer networks and cybersecurity degree then I plan to look into an accounting or finance degree to help me better understand and manage money.

We don't really have the expendable income to make a large purchase right now, which makes it hard for me but I have seen so many times purchasing a rental property for $0 money down.  I am wanting to learn some of the trade and secrets that make this a successful business.  I am not looking to become a millionaire flipper overnight, I know this is a process and will take time to learn, I am mainly wanting advice from some of those who have succeeded from similar situations that Im in now.