The troubles in the stock market that impact my retirement accounts so far this year haven't been fun, but they certainly have not been devastating because my real estate is acting as a counterbalance.

I see way too many people driving their retirement these days. 

I’ve talked to about 2000 (my guess) prospective investors over the last decade and the vast majority who have great income and great jobs, or a great retirement, or a family, have found that it’s very hard, even grueling, to manage individual properties.

Before retirement, with high W2 income, at one point, my deductions wouldn't be capped if I was professional, so you win some, you lose some.My CPA was very helpful when it came to depreciation though.

Diversification is a term usually applied to stock market/retirement investing but is something I want to apply to my income.  

Retirement accounts required to invest with 40% down and 10% reserves.9.

A little background:  I am 47, and just recently retired.  

We are buy and hold investors who's goal is early retirement.

I put 20% of our combined household income in retirement accounts and then the stock market (and that includes our REI income).

I am active duty Navy and have about 2 years left till retirement.