I also want to get more skin in the game.

Do not expect private money on a crappy dealWhile unpopular, I don't borrow from friends and family - not a fan of the dynamic it creates.Hope that helps.  

I think that they mirror as parallel’s with different dynamics (eg OKC has a pro sports team, tulsa has tons of  arts and music) but I also feel like they both have a ceiling of expectation.

She does trust me as long as I don't have too much skin in the game and we can afford to loose.

There are always alternatives, they say around me there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Obviously a lender is much more enticed to give the loan if I have "skin in the game."

It's cause you have less equity when you close on a purchase with a low PP (i.e 15% down on a $55K purchase would only consist of $8,250 of skin in the game on day one for the borrower).

If the kids find a full-time employment and/or get some rehab experience that changes the dynamics.

I’ve been investing here for the past few years and have built a little over a dozen new construction single family homes and acquired a Self Storage building so am very familiar with the dynamics/management/renter quality ect and have been very pleased.

Pay 13% interest on the Credit Card and investing the cash you have left from not paying the Bill  Your rental investment will be a little safer if you have some skin in the game.