Those are more realistic table setters for you to begin your journey if you couple that with podcasts and in-person meetups so you can learn from real investors and their journeys.To invest, you will always need to be earning more money so you don't want to start your journey thinking you can do it with no money.

The goal is to earn the most money, not do something the cheapest way possible.

Not sure why tax rate matters when net passive earnings is the more important figure.

The social engineers (lawmakers and their special interest handlers) stifle and discourage growth, individual liberty, and confiscate property (your hard earned income), they are absolutely crazy.

This creates two loan payments ($100,000 of equity and $300,000 on the new mortgage).Key NumbersHome Equity Loan Interest Rate: 6%Mortgage Interest Rate: 7%Rental Income: $3,000 per monthExpenses (management, taxes, insurance, maintenance): $800 per monthIncome and ExpensesMonthly Rental Income: $3,000Monthly Expenses: $800Monthly Mortgage Payment: $2,000ExplanationThe investor earns $3,000 in rent each month.They pay $2,000 on the investment property mortgage and $800 on other expenses.This leaves $200 profit each month or $2,400 per year.However, you have to pay $6,000 interest on the equity borrowed.This leaves you with an annual loss of $3,600.This example shows that while the rental property generates positive monthly income, the interest cost of borrowing the initial $100,000 results in an overall annual loss.

In some cases, gross income can include recurring capital gains or unrealized income, winnings from a day of gambling, rental income, and sometimes even interest earned on retirement accounts.

I am wondering if anyone would recommend any real estate investing courses, podcasts, books, or any other educational material that has helped them in their own career? 

Now, here is the catch: 1) You have to have to be self-employed, maybe an LLC or S-Corp, or just sole prop, but you have to have earned income in that business.

@Leslie Beia, while I don't believe I have the same experiences as Matt direct to hotel ownership, I do have a lot of experience working with investor capital, how to underwrite deals to show what the investors can expect in return and what you get.That being said, at a high level, I could invest in a private note fund, and earn 10% annually.  

So, as you can imagine we have made a couple of moves throughout our career.