What's a Stack Season?
What's a Stack Season?
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A Stack Season is a 5-or-more-year window — often right after graduating from a trades program — when a skilled trades professional has the ideal combination of high earning potential, low expenses, and time for compound growth to work in their favor. With no student loan debt, strong overtime and union wages, and a lean lifestyle before it inflates, this period offers a rare opportunity to build serious wealth fast. The goal is to recognize the window and take full advantage of it before it closes.
See what's possible below (calculator assumes a 10% average rate of return over the given period).
Mark's Stack Season Story
Mark's Stack Season Story
Mark, a 20-year-old welder who graduated from East Central College in December 2024 with nearly $0 saved, reached a net worth of $115,000 by April 2026 — approximately 18 months later. His plan included automated weekly transfers to a high-yield savings account and a Roth IRA, a funded emergency fund and truck fund, and proactive tax planning that avoided a projected $10,000+ tax bill.
How he started: 12/24
How he started: 12/24
Mark's a real client, he's 20 and graduated from East Central College welding school 12/2024 with nearly $0 saved. He worked with a recruiter and was willing to travel and live temporarily in OH, IN, and AZ for job assignments. Mark started saving weekly using the Altruist app with scheduled transfers to High Yield Savings and then investments.
How it's going: 5/26
How it's going: 5/26
Mark has built a six-figure net worth of $112,794 by following a disciplined financial plan that prioritizes both stability and growth. He has fully funded key areas of his financial life, including an emergency fund, a dedicated truck fund, investment accounts, and a Roth IRA, while also putting essential estate planning and insurance protections in place. Through proactive tax planning, including ongoing projections and adjustments throughout the year, Mark avoided what would have been more than $10,000 in taxes owed. Beyond the numbers, his approach to money supports what matters most—this year, it allowed him to treat his dad to a memorable hiking trip in Colorado.
Patrick Ritter, CFP®
Patrick Ritter, CFP®
Founder at TradesWave Wealth, one focus area of my practice.
20+ years in financial services helping clients and training financial professionals.
CFP® professional with fiduciary duty”
No minimums required
Used by trades professionals nationwide
Work with me on an hourly basis at $250 per hour—ideal if you want one-time advice, a second opinion, or help building a plan without ongoing management.
Full-service support with ongoing investment management starts at 1% of assets under management and decreases with assets added.
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