Or should we say "screw it" - buy an index fund and go live on $30,000 a year or less for the rest of our lives volunteering in some developing country.

This is a 3.75% increase, a little high given the 2015 increase permitted in my rent controlled environment is 1.6% which is indexed to inflation.

I have a login for the state lien index which shows all the deeds, warranty deeds, liens etc recorded for a property.

Second, looking at the Case-Shiller index for evidence of appreciation is like looking at the S&P 500 index and concluding no single stock ever returns more than 10%.

First of all, my personal opinion is that real estate values are largely a function of incomes and interest rates; which is reflected in the Affordability Index (i.e. what percentage of the population can afford the average priced house). 

Even if you just go completely passive and buy S&P500 index fund, you will get 8 or 9% return per year. 

I am speculating off of the Historical Housing Price Index (HPI) compared to Inflation.

The dollar index is looking mighty scary lately.

v=KgFjPp1apqk&list=UUnPAF9p8fcJbiA0NX37MU3g&index=1&feature=plcpYeah, my form stinks, but you get the idea of the intense workout you can get in 4 minutes.You can do this running, cycling, swimming, doing squats, and so much more.

Any thoughts on that area and can you share why you decided to over-index there?