I'll tell you all the story of my (work) life.
It started in England. I left school at 17, for reasons that had nothing to do with my abilities. If I had continued I would have been able to attend University with a grant from the local authority, and left with a degree and NO debt. [Note 1: Did you get that? No debt.]
I took a job at a local Insurance company. The starting pay was abysmal but it increased on a yearly basis, and by the time I would have wanted to start a family it would have been enough to get by. The company would have given me a low rate mortgage to enable me to get into the house market. [Note 2: Owning a house has pretty much guaranteed an steady increase in personal wealth. If you can't get on that first step, you're at a huge disadvantage.] The job had total security. Staying with the company guaranteed employment, a reasonable life style and a pension at retirement. [Note 3: There are no such jobs any more.]
I got fed up with the pure boredom and after a two year adventure in Australia, I took a job in London. Still in Insurance, but with a lot more pay, and nowhere near the cost of living there is now in such a big city. It had the security and benefits that I had before. I was around 23 as I remember. [Note 4: At that time, it was possible for a young guy with no University degree to get a job that was secure, would never make him rich, but provided a reasonable life style. Not any more.]
Then I got married and bought a house with the aid of the company. I was promoted to Head of Department. I was maybe 26. I did not do well in management and hated it. Then a miracle happened. I managed to get transferred to the small computer department (2 of us!). I discovered that I had a knack for programming and what's more I loved it! [Note 5: At the time it was possible to get into IT with no education qualifications (they didn't exist). Employers wanted experience, but wouldn't train people. I was lucky to get trained in that job.]
After a couple of years, they decided that they didn't need us as programmers any more and threatened to move me back into the regular departments. I stayed long enough to get another job, which I could do as I now had experience. I started earning serious money, which got much better when I moved into contracting. I was sensible enough not blow all my cash on luxuries and built up some savings, which grew over the years. [Note 6; If you don't have disposable income you can't save and if you don't save you can't invest and make your money grow.]
I continued on the same work path, always stayed in the house market, and at retirement, after two divorces and a move to the USA I live in a comfortable retirement and lack for nothing I want.
To sum up, a young man who left school with the equivalent of a High School degree, a good brain, and little help from his parents was able to, with a bit of luck, carve out a comfortable life and a secure retirement without ever taking risks or being seriously poor.
[Note 7: I would hate to be that young man today. He wouldn't have a hope, without a lot more luck than I had.]