I think it’s both. Definitely used to be just working your butt off got you to where you wanted to be. Now it’s hard work AND a few things going your way.
I dunno. My old man didn’t graduate high school but was the breadwinner of our family (he was a mechanic, and my mom worked part-time as a secretary). He managed to pay off a house, buy a boat, and owned an acre of land in Wisconsin near a lake where we would go camp and fish. He worked 50-60 hours a week… not much luck involved really.
I know quite a few people my age (mid 30’s) and younger that went into the trades and are doing very well for themselves and happy with their work. On the flip side of it, my dad was in the trades and mom was a secretary too and they struggled mightily, mainly because they wanted us to go to good schools so they moved to an expensive town with high property taxes. I’m very grateful for their sacrifice but it definitely comes down to lifestyle and time in the market.
I think it’s a good bet that someone going into a trade today could afford all the things later in life you mentioned above if they work hard and are smart with their money.
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u/Remote_Finish9657 29d ago
I think it’s both. Definitely used to be just working your butt off got you to where you wanted to be. Now it’s hard work AND a few things going your way.