For me, Rich Dad Poor Dad lit a fire in me to grow my real estate portfolio with the end goal of leaving my (well-paying) day job for the total FREEDOM of whatever dreams and goals I would choose to pursue in the future.Good luck!

Our cash position could be better, but we're actively changing spending habits and focusing on cash flow in 2018.GoalsOverall: Earn financial freedom through real estate investments, be able to retire in 25 years (but still work because we want to)Buy our first investment property in the next 12 monthsWhat we're doingListening to BP podcastsReading books from BP, as well as generalized books like Rich Dad, Poor DadStrict budgetingImproving cash flow (refinancing our current home for lower payments, not being too aggressive with paying down debt, etc)Looking out for events in our area to network and educate ourselves (no luck yet...)Ideas/PlansGet a real estate license for both educational purchases and so we can manage our own transactionsPartner with likeminded friends on our first property to get the ball rolling; each couple saving up $30k+ in the next 12 monthsFocus on small single family / multi-family rental homesKeep our day jobs, real estate would be our side jobWhat do you wish others told you when you first started?

I’m an avid reader and like many others recently read Rich Dad Poor Dad and now I’m hooked on the idea of financial independence through real estate (and my other passion of value investing... see the pattern here?).

All the Rich Dad books (but they are full of motivation and mindset, but don't have any actual substance), I read and listened to many podcasts, while driving for my regular job, or while working on my "side gig" where I cut, split, and delivered firewood after work hours.

Except the first qualified applicant had never seen the house, had a new job he had not started and was relocating from out of state with 2 room mates who worked fast food...I ended up telling them, per our agreement, that their fees were refunded and such, I signed no lease, and that they have not paid all monies to move in or even seen the property.

There are dog food bowl and water inside and outside. 

Unless they have oil, of course, in which case we bomb them and send in Haliburton to make our Vice President rich...

What I have done, is laid out the flower beds and put in rich colored mulch to make them look nice, and you can still get all the trimming of bushes and trees and such done.

Rich

Rich