Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2019 · 1 post · 0 votes
I know it’s important to stay in school and all but with this quarantine going on and everything, all I have is time that I’m wasting and I just want to become an RE expert and literally be 10 steps ahead of the game by the time I’m supposed to become a self sufficient adult. Is dropping out so late really a bad idea ? Where can I start learning besides just the internet(and where else can I learn on the internet?). Thanks for any and all advice
Salem, OR · Member since 2019 · 33 posts · 23 votes
6y
I see from your profile you're talking about high school.
I don't place a lot of importance on formal education. But high school is so unbelievably easy to complete that anyone who doesn't have a diploma can reasonably be assumed to be an idiot. Now maybe you'll be a successful investor and the people you do business with won't ever need to know you dropped out. But if you run into any hiccups you may find yourself needing a W-2 job at some point. Having a high school diploma could mean a huge difference in your earning potential in the event you have to work for someone else. Every extra dollar you earn is an extra dollar you'll have to invest.
Besides that, at 16 you can't even sign a contract. No matter how smart, how capable, or even how educated you are, there are a ton of things you can't do right now just because of your age. What else are you going to do with your time for the next two years? Being here on BP and researching real estate is an excellent use of your free time, but finishing high school isn't going to interfere with that.
Just finish high school and then get to work. That is unless you're talking about leaving traditional high school early and getting your GED. I wouldn't consider that dropping out.
Good to see young ones got interested with RE investing and I am glad that you are here in BP community! But, you need to study and learn more things while going to legal age.
For now esp during quarantine, you can make use of your valuable time here in BiggerPockets! Keep on with your Real Estate education by browsing, reading, listening, building your network, completing your BP profile and connecting to members (which is a priority while you are here). Connect with other members to learn from their success stories and experiences. I am sharing with you some of my initial recommendations:
Rental Property Investor · Upstate, NY · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes
6y
I still look back at a tough high school curriculum (3000 places avail at our University & 5000 applying) & 5 years of university as those years that imbued the focus, discipline & drive that helped me strive for financial independence. Admittedly from the experience with our 3 college graduated kids most of it today could be achieved on-line but then I wouldn't have the party pics of their college days to give me the vicarious pleasure of reminding them of how they suffered a 'tough life/struggle' getting a tertiary education.
I am amazed at how many of our friends kids blow off college, drive up their horrendous student loans & simply surrender to a life of menial, mind numbing jobs. It can be time well spent so make it count!!!
Investor · NJ · Member since 2018 · 869 posts · 921 votes
6y
Real estate is a great vehicle to wealth long term. Key words long term. Alot of people who try to make money overnight in real estate end up losing money, especially beginners. Not saying it cant be done but its alot more risky.
Honestly if you drop out of high school you'd be making an enormous mistake. While I'd agree that college isnt necessary to make a decent living. You cannot do much without a high school degree and unfortunately you need to have money to start making money in any business.
my advice keep on learning about real estate investing and finish high school. Learn to budget now and get in good financial habits. If you're unsure what to do for a career hold off on college for now.