With that said though lots of folks have become wealthy over a period of time, so it works.

I don't want to be massively wealthy or have any unicorn pipe dream about investing but I simply want to have a greater control of my autonomy.

I kept getting poor quality tenant apps so I furnished a couple houses and posted them on Airbnb and earn nearly double previously asking rent and now get upscale Millennials as guests from wealthy places like Boston and Ct.Quite an improvement over the Section 8'ers, felons, large families on disability with huge dogs...Best description of a dog...

Plenty of very unhealthy people have incomes.Wealth is a strategic placement of funds, calculated decisions, and educated spending, saving, and investing that all equal a system in which one considers themselves "set up" to enjoy life without the constant hassle of making ends meet.Theoretically one could flip houses for years, earning well into the upper echelon of tax brackets and still not be wealthy, or be completely wealthy, depending on how they see the daily activities of their lives as either a job, or a hobby that pays well.But to get right down to what I think you're asking Christy, is "what is the best approach to wealth?"

In addition, automobiles were becoming commonplace for the wealthy and middle class allowing cross country travel.

Somehow OKC got all the growth but Tulsa is so much prettier with 10 times the culture

What else should I do to start building my network, to learn the local RE culture and market there?

Before you know it you will understand the values in that area better than most agents.Create a commercial checking account with a credit line.Attend every public auction in your area, bid on none but study the process, look at the property and play a game - guess what the high bid might beMake friends with new real estate agents (new only---- they haven't been polluted by negative comments and attitudes by older agents.)Ask your agents to send you list of expired listings (give them money for their services, like a thank you $100.00 bill) Understand the Law of Universal Prosperity.)Run classified ads in your local news papers --WANTED All real estate, commercial, houses and non-conforming properties, family business call 555-555-5555 for a fast no fee offer.Call me if you need a partner.Have fun while learning, don't take this business too seriouslyDon't make offers on real estate, make them on the equity that the real estate can offerAlways negotiate for the equityGet a real estate license, not to be an agent, but to understand the culture of the business, to have access to the MLS and to meet some nice folksFarm an area - drive around, look for FSBO's, agent's signs, ugly houses, put them in your journal to call laterCreate a little flyer to put on super market's bulletin boardsAsk 10 people a day this questions; "would you know of anyone who would like to sell their real estate?"

I had too much of a spend spend spend mentality and never took enough time or thought to what I needed to do to live a more comfortable and wealthy life.

I know this is a part of becoming wealthy.