Although STR can seem sexy and the potential to make more than a long term rental, you also have to consider the start up costs...furnishing, linens, plateware, small appliances, washer/dryer, baby gear, decor, pictures, curtains, televisions, games, routers, professional photos etc etc.Hope this helps a bit, not trying to talk you out of it, just food for thought.

We have kids with severe handicaps, mental illness, terminal illness, etc. some of our teens have died. 

Genuine, real honest sweet, and OMGAAAHHHHH are we (well me) sexy!!!!

However what I often find is that the capital would be better deployed elsewhere.Often times the unsexy vehicles of investing (midwest duplexes) will cashflow and appreciate far better then the sexy ones (LA beach house).With the cashflow from a midwest duplex, you could afford to stay in an even nicer beach house in San Diego each year.

GAdamn this guy is sexy!

It's not as sexy as creating a 4th unit, but depending on the area and price per square foot as well as rents, adding an extra 2 beds and 1 bathroom can create a ton of value in your property and significantly increase your cash flows.

My boys have had Roths and bank accts since their early teens.

I've had my 14 and 11 yr olds read Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens and How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000.

I have a certain ratio per100 headcount (not households, not age, not sex) I use when decidingto buy or build in a town.

I've noticed that teens are not taking these afterschool jobs as they used to, and those that are left to take them are caught between making too much for government assistance, but not enough to keep from living paycheck to paycheck.