[campbellcj]

What do you guys think about buying or investing in small indy businesses (with -strong- biz plans) OR perhaps even franchises?

I am personally not big on the rental property idea as being a part-time landlord, having to deal with flakey SoCal tenants etc. is not my idea of a great way to spend free time after the day job. And if you hire a professional property mgmt company you are obviously dipping into your cash flow, which is probably already just barely enough to cover the mortgage and expenses.