This book provides service members, veterans, and their families with a critical roadmap for becoming financially independent prior to committing themselves to full-time retirement. It outlines how retiring military personnel in their early 40s can become happily semi-retired. Emphasizing the importance of family, lifestyle, and bridge careers, the book shows how to build a sound financial house based upon military benefits, savings, frugal living, and investing in oneself. Includes examples, checklists, websites, and appendices.