Investing while in the Military.

[Rick Badem]

Does anyone know if anyone has ever written a book about investing in rental properties while in the military? 

[Kerry Baird]

It is uncommon for people to buy property while in the military; very likely the 20/80 rule or Pareto Principle.  For a season people in our career field made tens of thousands in re-enlistment bonuses, with half in a lump sum and the other half spread over the enlistment period.  We noticed all kinds of E-4 and E-5 drivers with new Audi models in the parking lot. We didn't do it that way.  When we were young we had a supervisor who had purchased a house at each duty station and fixed it up to rent out. That tickled the brain...and we decided to do the same thing.  

When we were young, we were mil to mil and got two housing allowances, so we lived on one salary and invested the other.  Once we learned about investing in property, we went whole hog into buying houses.  It went a little slower when we were overseas, but we still picked up some houses while living across the Pond.  We've done fixers, both those that we lived in and those that we sold or rented.  And we started to keep those Golden Geese, instead of selling/killing them.  

It is a great way to supplement the income along the way, as when I decided to be a stay-at-home Mom instead of wearing combat boots every day.  And it won't take too many houses, paid off, to replace the other half of my hubby's salary when he does put in for retirement.