stay the course and you will attract so much more to you in your life.

I started investing right after college, before life (kids, bills, etc.) have really kicked in.

I am at a point in my life where I have to do this ESPECIALLY in todays market.

In 2011 my wife walked into small 1950s cape style house that reeked from 60 years of cigarette smoke and fell in love with the property.

High insurance costs are part of life here in Houston.

These, as you may know are two different neighborhoods, with different housing styles and different prices - but both of them have the potential to cash flow equally.  

Lived in Chicago proper for 20 years and all my life nearby.

I'd rather take a very hard look at my spending and lifestyle than dip into my retirement accounts.

There are lots of great amenities like the Zoo, Botanical Gardens - many of which include free admission for residents because of historic endowments, Forest Park is larger than Central Park, and there are so many other beautiful historic parks (Tower Grove Park, Benton Park, Lafayette Park) and a variety of unique neighborhoods that offer different lifestyle and investment choices.  

She is getting married and starting a new life.