You can price materials online or by phone at big-box or local specialty stores if you don't have a special hook-up yet. 

The reality is buying the house is a store of value against currency debasement and the attraction quality is the location.

Check out dollar store for something like that.

The only thing I can do to help justify it is that now with income in the highest tax bracket, I am saving 37% on any depreciation I can get.Will someone either wake me up to my new found delusions or encourage me that I am still on the right track.Buying rentals that don't cash flow is like buying a bike with two flat tires and no seat to sit on, then trying to ride home from the grocery store with a back pack of groceries on your back.Will it eventually get you there?

Whereas, in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, your income is in USD but your costs are in pesos and these costs are very low to top it off.Also, because real estate is traded in USD in their countries, the well-to-do Mexicans and Dominicans are using property as their store of value of choice against the devaluation of the peso.

We still have some tenants that bring rent to the office instead of paying online. What security boxes or other solutions do you use to insure the rent is as secure as possible before taking it to the bank? 

Thrift stores are great for interesting framed pieces or even just nice frames and then order your own prints for them off Etsy.

- Why does a 2 liter of pop/soda cost more at convenience stores versus grocery stores?

Make a good connection at your home improvement store/outlet whatever it may be.

Currently, the store space is zoned for retail and the variance would allow it to host events there such as birthdays, office parties, wakes, etc.