Go to cali and join the union. Live in a small town and commute to the city to work. You can make a fortune working with steel. In the Bay area you get upwards of $50/hr with 60 - 70 hrs a week, if you can prove your journeyman level. Work in cali and rent an apartment or small house. Then buy a house in a state worth living in. You could buy it cash in most states with 2 or 3 years of savings. I know guys bringing home $2500/week