Sal

Sample plan

Roofer · 55 · Tampa, FL

married; Gina works at the school

Roofs end careers at 55, not 59 — and the best job in roofing is on the ground. Sal's exit is the attic ladder, and it pays $45k.

Earns now

$73k

per year

Saved

$55k

nest egg

Spends

$72k

per year, incl. health

Retirement income

$30k

SS + pensions

The outcome as-is

Runs short in his 70s as-is — the 12-month plan is how you close the gap

Income streams

Roofing (1099)work

active now → age 56

$54,000/yr

Insurance adjustingwork

starts age 56 → age 62

$45,000/yr

Gina — school aidework

active now → age 64

$19,000/yr

Social Securityretirement

claim at 65 / 67

$30,000/yr

Brokerage (taxable)$13,000

401(k) / IRA (tax-deferred)$42,000

Living budget$5,333/mo

Health bridge (pre-65)$667/mo

Total, pre-65$6,000/mo

12 months out
The honest math first: a full stop at 56 doesn't clear. But roofers have the best ground job in the trades waiting — insurance adjusting and roof inspection. The cert course costs $2k and uses everything he knows about roofs, minus the roof.
6 months out
Shoulder MRI while the good insurance covers it. Every trade drill in this series schedules the surgery before the exit — bodies are equipment.
3 months out
The crew joins a bigger outfit; the truck and gear sell for $22k. The tools were an asset the whole time.
Retirement day
The last tear-off is his own garage. Gina films it.

Open the What-If board with Sal’s exact numbers — drag a lever and watch the earliest age Sal can actually retire.