While I didn't reach all my then stated goals, I did successfully do the following things:1) I quit the 9-5 that was holding me back from my REI goals, and joined a startup that lets me study real estate investing all day, every day ;).2) I purchased a small duplex for $240,0003) I've lived for free for the past several months by renting out available space in my duplex - "house hacking"4) By continuing to live frugally, I've accumulated savings at double the rate of 2014, and am now ready to purchase another property - I'm just patiently waiting for one that meets my criteria to come on the market.5) I've continued to meet investors, agents, wholesalers and many many other interested parties through BiggerPockets and various meetups, and have done my best to give back to the community through articles, forum posts, and my day to day work on BiggerPockets.Anyone else want to share their first post and measure their progress towards their goals?

If your gauge remains steady then the problem in on the supply side.

Kevin D.sounds like amazing progress, congrats!!

Ocala doesn't have the big, steady employment base of the big Florida cities, which is a negative, but does have a few growing industries, growing retirement base, the Villages is close by, etc. 

Since you inquired, I'd rather not disclose my income here, though it is steady and predictable.  

If you do decide you want to do real estate investing after two years, you'll have a steady job and income to serve as a baseline. 

I just understand the time and effort it took me to make the little progress I have made so far.

The area I live in is really hot now so I figured sitting on it, and keeping an eye on how things progress was a better idea for my home.

The alternative if you just want some smaller scale steady income, is buying a unit in one of the newer buildings.

Red flags- low credit scores even with great incomes, eviction, roommates, not steady employment, etcWhile this is nothing other than my thought that of an experienced albeit  jaded landlord.