Trying to time the stock market, or trying to pick individual stocks to purchase is just another way to gamble.

Dinesh, I actually found you right after I bought clever investor today.I took a huge gamble because I am currently living paycheck to paycheck to support my girlfriend and 10 month old daughter.I am hungry and ready for a change.

At the same time, there comes a point when you have to take the gamble and jump!

For right now I'd say best return for your money would be craigslist/direct mail and any SEO you can do for your website to eventually rank on the first page of google and get good organic leads.Craigslist is easy... not getting ghosted is another story :) just don't spam your posts too much and you'll be fine.

is he just gambling?  

Everyone here are investors, we don't gamble, make yourself a sure return on investment for someone.Want to know what your friends will teach you?

Of course, you can never wait until you have everything, but it seems like there is significantly less one has to work with before starting real estate investing, making one's attempt feel more like a gamble than a calculated risk....Or is there?

The other is gamble on the open market and maybe get $85k. 

Gamble / Play the lottery3.  

@Ndy Onyido   Nothing is certain, everything is a gamble.