The budget also ballooned from structural changes, getting taken for a ride for HVAC, deciding to expose the brick, and our finishes.Washer room - in the ceiling compact duct unit for the second floor.

Depending on what you need for licensing, could spare-time property management be something of interest?

I got to give a special thanks to Griff Fountain for stepping up to the plate with no time to spare.  

There may be a spare small office room (no windows) in the finished floor plan, I had an idea to convert this extra room into a small library where it can be furnished with small cubicle desks, with wires built in, and a printer that can be shared by all tenants.

Super fun place - world class street food, fun mopeds, and nightlife all in one compact place.I have a similar plan as you, and I have no desire or need to earn $300 - 400K per year my speciality pays. although I still have 6 years left in the service.

Half a mil in the bank and zero time to spare.

Back in the early '80's (single & no kids) I worked every spare hour, every vacation & drove a POS car.

Four offers later, I finally closed at the end of December on a place in Fredericksburg where 1) the monthly mortgage and utilities are equal to or slightly less than my rent - thus I can afford it with no strain to my budget - 2) with two spare bedrooms I'll be able to rent them out - gross rent on either one would cover about 45% of the monthly costs, and 3) it's in a good location that it will stand well on its own as a rental whenever I'm ready to leave.So that was stuff I managed to pull off without finishing Paul'a course or taking advantage of much of the BP Pro benefits.

Government refuses to accept TARP money repayment - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123879833094588163.html#articleTabs%3Darticle"Think about it: If Rick Wagoner can be fired and compact cars can be mandated, why can't a bank with a vault full of TARP money be told where to lend?

Now, if you don't have the time and have spare money then maybe a course is the right answer for you.If this was me, I'd give myself about 6 months of studying and then deploy that 50k.