But that mentality only worsens the problem.

Sadly most Americans have that "I'll think of it later.." mentality and the other naive majority are expecting social security to last forever.

County Clerk, Court Clerk, Dept of Mental Health, etc.

Michael,As long as you stay focused you can achieve this, I am still learning myself but I have realized the mental toughness is going to be very important.

James, it has been in my mind to get started on a business plan and i have actually been making small mental notes on what to include, you just reassured me that i need to get that done sooner than later, but my hesitation comes from not knowing exactly where to start, what to include or how to write a proper and professional business plan

I have had tiffs before with a few, but sometimes you gotta get stuff done on your own tuffness......not physical, but mental.

I have a buy and hold mentality and have dealt with wholesalers predominantly form a buyers prospective.

This was early on in my investing career, but I got over the mental blocks by thinking outside the box.

Second to that I'd consider the vacation property financing approach, but I pick that second because as you said the rates will be higher which then puts more pressure on revenue and reduces slack for unexpected expenses.I've never used hard money but my mental model is that it's typically used for short periods with a clear exit, for example doing a fix-and-flip. 

Aren't "entitlement mentality" and "Section 8" synonyms?