Like the Majority of people, as Rich Dad puts it I have been living in fear.

I once  went to a RICH club women's meeting and one of the women shared  that she had spent a lot of money on programs that could have gone on her first deal.

., if Cali is too rich for you.

Generally speaking the main benefit to real estate is getting rich slowly, and has nothing to do with tax benefits. 

I've read Rich Dad/Poor Dad and Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner. 

Here are a few I recommend: "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Roberto Kiyosaki; "Set for Life" by Scott Trench; "The Unofficial Guide to Real Estate Investing" by Spencer; "The BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide" found here on BP; "The Book on Rental Property Investing" by Brandon Tuner.

Do not listen to get rich quick schemes3.

Let's just address the first lie, a couple of properties is not going to make you rich and let you quit your job. $500 a month cashflow from a single family home is really solid but it isn't going to drastically change your life. 

But many investors get rich and build wealth buying "value add" properties like this one.

Selling properties get you rich.