My goal is to get into investing where I can grow my portfolio just outside of the Kansas City Metro and eventually leave my W-2 job to spend more time with my kids.

Im always pondering if I give my kids so much that they will be lazy, entitled or soft.

Just kidding... kind of.

The real value in almost any investment is holding or what do the little kids say these days HODLing.

A kid can steal 50 bucks from a store and gets locked up.

So, I started buying between 2009-2012, which was a few years earlier than I wanted (I was hoping my wife would be back to work after raising the kids through kinder and we'd have two incomes). 

It's a side hustle started aside of my employee job and I feel that this is my best plan to pay my 4 kids college starting in 2027 and secure my dream retirement in about 10 years.

But we really are in the hangover phase from all those inflated cocktails (myself included, damn being 40 isn’t the same as 24 kids).

*** LOL, obviously kidding, sorry I had to

I would not look at the previous 15 years and think the market will continue with double digit appreciation or you may be setting yourself up for a big disappointment. and agree, good thread...   36 years of age and lived a life that some wouldn't in 3 lifetimes lolTravelled the world and experienced many cultures.Experienced some amazing things and moments/memories that I will cherish for as long as I live.Each to their own but monthly cashflow was able to provide this for me.Be it from rentals, flipping or our PM business.Yes, worked hard for it but IMO nothing can beat "hard work".Building equity and waiting for appreciation is all good and great for those that want to wave their D@#% and say "look how big mine is".Then passing it on to an entitled/spoilt $#%@ of a child hehe that will take it for granted and most likely loose it.Personally, I'd rather enjoy life as much as I can and live for moment.Teach my kids how to fish and not just give them the fish.Cashflow provides opportunities for those "moments/memories" TODAY and not in 10 years.Isn't real estate investing suppose to make our life more enjoyable and better in the present moment?