@StPaulDad - love your point #5! I think that for some people, going into a trade is such a great fit. As you say, it can provide a very good quality of life, without going into debt. I would add the same for some kids with the military. Not great for many people, but for some kids it provides the framework and structure they really benefit from. And if I could go back in time, we would have saved a lot of aggravation by following your point #1. 