I did the stock thing the real estate thing and even the self employed thing.

@David MorganIn my personal view, i is generally best to just hold the beneficiary IRA at a company like Fidelity investments and invest in stocks and mutual funds because of the fact that you have to take annual distributions. 

I am not expecting appreciation, I am actually expecting the entire market to tank (I am an active stock/finance investor) due to many things aligning or making the news that no one is seeing yet (2008 dejavu again).

I have asked a few about my stock based investments, and I ask to see their financial statement, they get pissed off, I have also asked why should I trust you with my money, your quite a bit older than me, and your still working, do you lve it?

Trade has stopped...Predictions about US economy? 

A cheaper truck would get you independent quicker, albeit with less frills.18 months is not enough time to park money in an index fund (at least not a stock fund).

Sell your depreciating debt (jeep) and pay off any other loans/CC you have.Don't go out with your friends and throw money away at the bar, or restaurants, traveling, etc.Work on making more at your current job, or try for a promotion while also picking up shifts when your off.If you are serious about investing in real estate, the stock market etc.

My prediction is that you buy this place and neither one of these people end up renting from you.Do not do business with friends.

If I had the storage, I'd be stocking up on appliances; mainly washers/dryers, electric ranges. 

Of course, i have seen the "take the expected replacement cost and divide it by the expected life and into a monthly cost" approach...but that seems too idealized to be practical, never mind that its impossible to predict how long something will actually last.Thanks,