You will pay them and everything will then fall apart.

And than the sob stories and how the nation should jump in and pay for what they didn't cover. 

Wealth-drivers are appreciation, debt pay-down (ie. principal payments) and tax shielding.

(It doesn’t pay its own taxes.

My mortgage increased earlier this year as my home owners insurance went up due to the company closing and my escrow didn’t have enough to make up the difference so I’m kind of pay check to pay check right now.

I knew that was not true because I had paid $780 a couple months before on a property in the same area and also my realtor told me that her clients had been paying that lower rate.

Also, how does one assess whether or not one can turn a profit after paying principal/interest, insurance, and taxes each month?

I don't know your living situation but if your paying x,xxx for rent or a mortgage and instead by living in one side and renting out the other you will be paying y,yyy instead and y is less then x that's great, especially if you can rent out your primary residence and make income there too. 

We had an accounting system once that necessitated doing this - not ideal, but it keeps the assets and liabilities straight and AP is just an accrual until you pay the bill.

Look for safe accounts that pay good interest or dividends to grow your security.