I didn't go to college straight out of high school. I definitely wasn't ready for more school at that point.

I worked my butt off in many just above minimum wage jobs. It seemed that most of my bosses were dumber than a box of rocks, but they all had that piece of paper that said they were full of BS. It took me six years, but I finally decided I had enough.

When I was 25, I applied for enrollment at my local community college. I applied for any and all financial aid that I could possibly qualify for. Because of my age, I qualified for pell grants without having to list my parent's income. I didn't really qualify for much more. The Pell grant actually paid for the tuition and books by itself because the community college was so much cheaper.

I moved in with my elderly grandmother and took care of her in exchange for room and board. That was the only financial help that I got from my family whatsoever. I worked hard in school, got good grades, and got more financial aid for the subsequent semesters.

I appreciated the value of the education I was getting because I had spent so long working for peanuts. I appreciated it even more when I found out that my sister was paying as much for one class at a larger university as I was paying for the whole semester including books.

I graduated in three years with a 3.8 average. It took me about a year to find a good solid career in my area. I earn enough for my family to be happy, and I am not drowning in education debt (or any other debt for that matter). Those lean years taught me how to live within my means, and they taught me how to get the most out of what I have.

I still have those BS bosses that are younger and have no common sense, but I am making enough now to make it worth putting up with them. I also make more than my "expensive school" sister and live in a much cheaper part of the US.

The next big thing that I will be covering on my own is retirement. Of course, I already have a plan for that. Work smarter, not harder.