So I spent a few days last month helping a cousin install a new one. 

Thank you for the thoughts... due to the lock box having been stolen and the “squatters” lengthy criminal record police negotiated with her.

I have been wanting to get into Real Estate for a long time, but spent too many years improving my procrastination skills instead. 

In that year period they would've spent $21,600 on rent.  

It seems that my time and money would be better spent going 100% into this and working hard over those years, but I'm worried that without a college degree or experience no one will take me seriously at all.

Appreciate itWow I just spent the whole time reading this thread :)Don't focus so much about the principal reduction as return.

I have spent a ton in training especially my first number of years investing.

I think outside the box and put my money in an avenue that I can continue to build on.

I have spent many hours researching this and I still don't feel 100% comfortable making large financial decisions based on my understanding of the tax implications.

Judge them by the work they do and not by the hours spent sitting at a desk.Forrest