I've been investing for about 30 years. Started on a whim and purchased my first house, a foreclosure, with a credit card. Didn't know any better. But I did end up, somehow, making $30K on the deal. My second deal, also a foreclosure, didn't fare so well. Ended up selling it to a smarter investor. How do I know he was smarter? He bought if for $25K less than I did. Lesson learned. Righted the ship. Met an investor who was already successful doing what I wanted to be doing and it's been a long, enjoyable, and profitable journey.