It seems like this deal is dead unless I'm willing to take a 20K hit on price (5K offer & 15K renovation), which I'm not. 

I did the stock thing the real estate thing and even the self employed thing.

@David MorganIn my personal view, i is generally best to just hold the beneficiary IRA at a company like Fidelity investments and invest in stocks and mutual funds because of the fact that you have to take annual distributions. 

I am not expecting appreciation, I am actually expecting the entire market to tank (I am an active stock/finance investor) due to many things aligning or making the news that no one is seeing yet (2008 dejavu again).

I have asked a few about my stock based investments, and I ask to see their financial statement, they get pissed off, I have also asked why should I trust you with my money, your quite a bit older than me, and your still working, do you lve it?

A cheaper truck would get you independent quicker, albeit with less frills.18 months is not enough time to park money in an index fund (at least not a stock fund).

Sell your depreciating debt (jeep) and pay off any other loans/CC you have.Don't go out with your friends and throw money away at the bar, or restaurants, traveling, etc.Work on making more at your current job, or try for a promotion while also picking up shifts when your off.If you are serious about investing in real estate, the stock market etc.

If I had the storage, I'd be stocking up on appliances; mainly washers/dryers, electric ranges. 

80% VT (Vanguard total world stock market index), 20% AGG (bond index). 

Most of their investments are mainly in stocks.