Have both a personal and REI emergency fund because life happens.   

Like almost everything else in life: Short-term pain for long-term gain!

From November 22 to December 29, step into a dazzling winter wonderland featuring twinkling lights, stunning larger-than-life sculptures, an ice-skating trail, and visits with Santa.

But if you hold that thing for 10 years I don't see how your life is not completely different and people don't think your a genius for buying a middle of the road househack now.

Using a 21 year life to maturity for the Teak.  

Aside from Real Estate, my love for life is found in auto racing (F1, Indycar, Etc.), spending time with my family, and always continuing to better myself whether that be reading books, being outdoors and exercising, networking, and/or sharpening my skills for my trade.I started my real estate journey in 2021 after a software business I was a partner in had a bad partnership breakup that saw me lose everything (financially). 

For example, a buyer putting 20% down on a $500k home would pay around $500k in interest over the life of a typical mortgage at current rate around 6.5%.

Do that every 2+ years, sell tax free, repeat, and you can be set for life ("live in flips"). 

An alternative to batteries is a "water battery". 

Quote from @Jared Leggett: Quote from @Corey Conklin: I know that moving away from home isn't what anyone really wants to do but in your situation it would absolutely change your life, financially (and for the better) if you left.Again, I don't know your situation but I can tell you that a sanitation worker in a small town in Kansas (town of about 12,000 people) makes more money than you do living in NYC.