Stepping stone to Financial Analyst positions?

Start as a bank teller.  Work your way up from there.

To become a financial analyst you need to achieve these things in this order:

#1 Bookkeeper

#2 Accountant

#3 CPA

#4 Financial Analyst.

Have fun!

You get as close as you can. By that I mean you look for something in accounting or finance.  Maybe it has remedial tasks, but being able to do the 'other' tasks and putting them, and the department, on your resume will be big.  A 'decent paying' job is relative though.  What you consider decent may be low or high to someone else.  Personally, I would be looking for things involving finance, accounting, or even sales operations or reporting.  Those can be resume helpers.

Most professional jobs and companies that hire Financial Analysts don't offer "stepping stone" jobs.  You can look into working as a bank teller or at a call center for a financial services company.  You won't be at a disadvantage for not working in the industry when pursuing your degree.  

I think you and you wife need to focus first on just getting jobs that pay better. To be honest, a carpenter makes more than someone with an AA degree working in a Call Center at Charles Swab.  If income is your goal, then you need to focus on that while going to school.  While going to school, your university should have some career advisory assistance to help you locate jobs upon graduation. 

No good jobs without a 4 year degree.  Not really easy to get that job even with a 4 year degree.

There are no comfy desk jobs that pay well that require zero education or skills.  

You could probably be a bank teller.   You'd make a bit more than minimum wage.

There really aren't any stepping stone jobs to financial analyst.  You get an education and then you get the job.  The education is the stepping stone.

Do not start a family until you can afford one and have time for one.

The appropriate order is:

1)  Finish your education and start your career.

2)  Get married.

3)  Square away your living situation .

4)  Have kids.

Having kids prematurely while you are in a tiny apartment, working full time and going to school online full time is a recipe for divorce.  

At a minimum, financial analysts are expected to hold a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or economics.  A master's degree is usually required.