For instance, we tithe using cash and we use prepaid Visa credit cards, we don't take a tax write off for it and no one but me and my wife knows how much or where the money gets given to.

I can't vouch for it, but the hosts of the Rookie podcast wrote a book about partnerships that may be worth reading before you take on a partner: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Estate-Partnerships-Acquire-Achi...

The $10k was put onto a credit card so in essence they spent $10K in asset protection fees to create a liability.

Then telling folks you're a rookie?

@Michael Plaks AKA - the "rookie tax". 

Consider the ones that paid $20k - $40k on their credit cards for the full mentorships, spent thousands more on data sites, thousands more still on direct mail, email blasts, then even more on SEO and SEM.  

Consider hiring a property manager for the first year or two, then transition to self-management when you have more experience.Hiring a property manager is usually cheaper than losing a ton of money making rookie mistakes.

But Gino can you pay your credit cards every month or do you have to carry a balance ?

As such you have quite a few under capitalized Rookie investors jumping into this. 

I’ve recently started listening to the Rookie Investor podcast – only a few episodes in, but I’m already learning a ton.