As a result, I've decided I need to eliminate consumer debt and start investing in real estate.I currently own and live in a 3 BR, 1.5 BA home that has become a bit too small for our family of 4.  

Also, Lowes and Homedepot have consumer credit cards with no interest for 6-24 months.

This is great for consumers like you as it lets you pit lenders against each other and cuts through all of the advertising games and assumptions that go into teaser rates.

I'm new to the RE investing world and I see how it can consume a person

Higher tarriff will increase the consumer price, and higher U.S.

Employees are more time consuming, but they also don't financially burden your business as much as a partner would.  

Childcare would completely consume her current job income so it would not make sense for her to go back to her job.  

Do the math: let's say you, as a consumer (not investor), finance your primary residence of 200k with 5% down, i.e. you need 180k from the bank.

Very time consuming though.  

I read a lot and consume ridiculous amount of content on mind set, real estate investing, stock market, trading, motivation, etc.