I agree my money is probably better spent in REI now, but at a ripe 17 years old, I didn't know half of what I know about now. 5 years later and a bit wiser, I have begun to change my investment strategy. 

I've begun to read and am currently working my way through "What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow...and 36 Other Key Financial Measures." 

I have begun working with a client who has upwards of 70+ seller financed mortgages from over the years and has asked me to help organize and track them. 

I've begun poking around and looking at relatively small (8-15 unit, <700K) mult-unit apartment complex units.  

I have begun wholesaling deals so I would love to meet anyone interested in buying from wholesalers.

Rehab is almost complete ( all my cash) and the tenant screening has begun.

There are several investors who have begun their careers in your very situation (myself included) so do not think you have to sit on the sidelines until you have cash, that notion is ridiculous. 

I have begun the process of learning and researching whatever and wherever I can so that I minimize the number of unwise decisions I make on my first deal.

Lending practices have once again begun to skirt the rules.

It's a baby group and I wish more people would post and not be gun shy lol.