Surprised there isn't already lengthy discussion on this. 

Long term bonds and Precious metals.

While stocks, bonds and mutual funds are still common portfolio inclusions, there are many other avenues that can also be rewarding in the long run, if you are willing to put in the time.

I get that a person may not like hearing that cold dose of reality, I hear it often of those at MNREIA who say "please check out this deal" with giant grins only to turn sour and defensive when I inform them their 189K acquisition with a cap of 4.15% and negative cash flow after properly appropriating funds it's toxic waste and I would rather have a bank bond than that bomb ticking away in my portfolio.

Licensing & Bonding is like all insurance.

its a nuisance but I am fully compliant now. the major issue is you need a bond and you need insurance to get the license. 

If you don’t have a primary residence and find one you’d be comfortable staying in for 5+ years certainly 40k would be enough for a down payment and over than period of time would probably make more sense than renting otherwise I’d rent and just put that 40k in an index or bond, pretty hard for most r/e to beat that at least in the short term. 

After learning about stocks, bonds, mutual funds and real estate.

The grounds and neutrals must be isolated & the neutral should NOT be bonded to the sub-panel.

After reading and learning about stocks, bonds, mutual funds and real estate, it became very apparent the easiest way to do this was to buy property that someone else pays off for you.