Having watched many prior co-workers get paid, cash their check at the casino, and promptly deposit it all into a slot machine I can tell you with pretty good certainty that casinos don't have a positive effect on disposable income and good use of the existing income in the area surrounding :)Are there solid local employers OTHER than the casino in a 15-minute drive? 

I am currently employed as a project engineer working for a GC that builds multi-family projects.

I would employ full-time paid employees as moderators, not VAs or people willing to help (although they are great for doing it) because it is what makes the site better to get rid of the dust.2.

My husband and his partners sold their company, and he is transitioning out of full time employment there in the next couple of months.  

When parents employ their minor child, the child is exempt from Social Security and Medicare (aka FICA) - if under 18.

How will you do so if you are W-2 employed?

Additionally, you may wish to speak with a CPA as to whether or not becoming an S Corp is the right decision – they can assist with reducing self-employment taxes.

Alternatively, once you have a full time job (or an employment contract), you should be able to qualify for a loan and utilize a Down Payment Assistance program.

I never bothered to try talking to a lender because my credit score isn’t great and I’m self-employed.

Given that I am self employed, a few personal loan options, did preliminary asking about my situation, and they got lost in the weeds with how my real estate income looks so dismal on tax returns.