Twenty rental properties, all owned free and clear — and most people think you need a high-paying tech job to reach financial independence. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Rich Carey proves them wrong by turning frequent military relocations into a cash-flowing real estate empire. Rich shares how he combined extreme frugality with strategic property acquisitions across lower-cost markets to build wealth on a military salary. Despite the conventional wisdom that frequent moves are a barrier to real estate investing, Rich used geographic mobility as an advantage, identifying opportunities in markets most investors overlook. Key Topics: Introduction to Rich Carey [00:02:07] Air Force officer's transition into real estate investing Frugality and Financial Independence [00:04:16] How a frugal lifestyle created the foundation for real estate success Rich's First Rental Property [00:13:17] Lessons from the first purchase in Alexandria, VA The 1% Rule in Real Estate [00:28:44] Why monthly rent should equal 1% of purchase price — and what happens when you ignore this rule Property Management Strategies [00:48:35] Managing properties from abroad using property management companies; leveraging cash offers in negotiations Rich's Future Plans [01:05:22] Retirement planning and dedicating more time to real estate Hot Seat Segment [01:08:36] Rapid-fire questions on favorite resources, biggest mistakes, and advice for beginners Key Insights: Max out retirement accounts (IRAs, TSPs) before investing in properties Always perform due diligence to ensure sound financial decisions Cash offers provide significant negotiating power A supportive partner accelerates progress toward financial goals Notable Quotes: "I was a fan of financial independence without knowing what that word meant." [00:02:43] "Save and invest and be frugal." [01:06:28] "Don't try to buy a house unless it makes sense financially." [01:07:56] "Cash offers provide great negotiating power." [00:37:20] Resources: Rich's Blog: Rich on Money [01:08:12]