you also reminded me of a friend who helped his parents with a "mini" apartment complex they had. they had a main house in front with maybe 3 'apartments' behind the house. would this be a quadplex?

I do have a couple of rentals, but also have investments in mini-storage (bad), development (also looking bad), and hard money lending (much better.)Congratulations on getting this far at such a young age and being so focused on your future.

This includes appliances, mini-blinds, closet shelves, etc7.

Again, returns will be lower, but your risk profile is reduced, and steady appreciation is usually more assured.Like it or not, if you do buy RE you will become a mini expert in your area of endeavor.  

Unfortunately, expert advice usually comes at a price, which is why the many "Getting Started" guides out there leave out specific details in order to sell a mini course, book, DVD, Etc.This discussion is aimed at those of us who are new, broke and lost in the sea of incomplete information.  

Do you want to be able to live abroad for a few years then go back to working, or be fully retired.. etc.I was recently in a very similar situation, saved a bunch in my 401k/Roth accounts, and went on a mini-retirement overseas.

I am seriously considering heat pump/mini splits.

just type the symbol @ and then start typing the person's name and it should come up as an option in a mini drop down menu  @Robert Lorenz

Before that I had been living with her and working a mini wage job.

We have a first right of refusal on the 7 acre mini farm next door as well.