Saves me a lot of time (and impulse shopping - lol) when I'm working on my own projects. 

That way you don't have instant easy access to the funds when you get a persuasive impulse to spend it.It's not gonna be fun at first as you'll have to sacrifice some, but as you notice the number increasing you will begin to experience hope and joy and a renewed sense of drive that will push you to better position yourself.Rent too high?

The impulse arose from reading something on BP about a loan that fell through in escrow because the property appraised too low.

DEBT Is good as long as I control it FOR MY ADVANTAGE and it doesn't control me.Some people can't use debt in a productive way so it's best they do not have it at all.It's the similar argument for people who claim less dependents on the taxes so they have more taken out each year for a bigger check for them later. ( a forced savings plan for those with little impulse control).Conversely there are those who say pay as little tax as possible and do not give the government an interest free loan and make more money investing it before the taxes come due.It's like paying off your house.

Why do you draw the conclusion that I have jumped impulsively into this endeavor without any training   simply because I ask a question from a group with more experience?  

For me, I've always liked to save and had good impulse control so never had to resort to apps but I'm sure a quick google search can bring up some good ones.By focusing on the end goal I think you have in mind (Accumulating wealth), I would give the following recommendations:1) Get onto a career track with good earning potential.

I'm not sure you want to be one of the many who went there, bought impulsively and regretted it after and can't sell without taking a loss.

Most students stay on campus their first one or two years, and afterwards many will make impulse decisions regarding their living arrangements. 

In my own case, I don't want to personally talk to people who are calling on impulse, without some idea as to what they realistically want or without some prior research.

i do, brent. i do.she says she is on board. we talk about which areas and which properties would be a good fit. the hard part is controlling her buying impulses, which have gotten way better as time goes by. a big factor, or at least i think it is, is our age difference. i am 32 and she will turn 24 in a few months.