Ask anyone with investment property and they'll tell you it's not passive.I earn enough from investments that I could be financially free for life, assuming nothing major happens.

It creates a lot of friction with other tenants and normally creates a poor work life balance for the manager.

Here are a few I recommend: "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Roberto Kiyosaki; "Set for Life" by Scott Trench; "The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing" by Spencer; "The BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide" found here on BP; "The Book on Rental Property Investing" by Brandon Tuner.

Go to meetups, walk neighborhoods, visit properties, meet humans. 

A set of new machines can easily run you 300-400k if these are all end of life.

What real-life clients of theirs did you talk to? 

Just as many times, it didn't result in a good outcome.Driving for dollars is something I do coincidentally as I go about my daily work/life. 

Getting started a little later in life than some, but that's ok.

Don't make your life more complicated than it has to be.

Explore my personal favorites, Set For Life by Scott Trench or The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, for invaluable financial insights.3.