Five years..... I'm deciding between pursuing a degree for ASN, RRT, EMS Admin, Business Admin, and fire secience. I'm likely going for either RN or RT first, whichever is more career friendly with regards to time management. This will serve as a great option for well compensated side work. If I go out on permanent disability, I'll still be able to work FT. Next is likely fire science, since it's easy, online, and recommended before promotion to All-Hazards Lt. After that, probably EMS admin, as I'm aiming to go that route career wise within the dept at some point.
I'm eligible for promotion to technician (EMS, trot, apparatus, or Hazmat) after two years of service. I'll take either the EMS or apparatus test, whichever comes first. It doesn't matter which one, as I'm essentially performing the same function as a basic FFM, but for 10% higher hourly rate.
We'll have a house, we'll pay as much into the principal as possible, and tap the equity when the housing market improves and buy another to serve as a rental. Repeat as conditions allow. Let someone else pay my mortgage, as I've been doing for others my entire working life. Owning real estate is the best hedge against inflation available.