we are in the Southern California área and thinking in putting either artificial turf or natural sod grass( the one is already grown) in the frontyard , it’s arpund 312 sf and estimates are like 440 dlls natural sod grass and 3400 dlls artificial turf with 0% financing options ( about 258 dlls monthly payments for a year)... some advise based on your experience(how about children’s, pets , maintenance, water bills, heat etc) and info you would know also... thanks blessings!!

Maybe you find that less money is coming in but also a lot less money is going out, no car payment, no insurance payment, all my medical care and medicines are covered by the VA for me , being a veteran, my house is paid off so no more rent or house payment to make.

So who else here is or was in medicine? 

If you we're going into Medicine, Architecture, Engineering, etc..., you wouldn't think twice about spending $100,000's of dollars for the education needed. 

Before Obamacare, I self paid all doctor visits, medicines, etc. and carried a low cost catastrophic plan to cover hospitalizations, surgeries, etc.

If you’re familiar with SF apts it’s a prime example of what happens when you get rent control - crappy buildings/obsolete units and insane market rents that are artificially inflated by rent control.The thing to watch out for if you own commercial deals (5+ unit apts too), is on the 2020 ballot they’re going to have a vote to separate prop 13 so commercial deals are no longer protected.

Many day labors are getting great pay watering taking care of plants used for medicine and recreational use. 

Always fascinating what happens when you artificially control supply and demand, it leaks out somewhere because people will always find a way to optimize their situation, whether the landlord or the tenant, as you point out.

I have 1 more year until i'm on my way to start my "so-called" career in what I truly do have a passion for (Sports medicine).

Anyone else who ask you pre-pay is likely fooling you.Another advice is never hurry into any deal due to some artificial deadline - such as lease is up.