@Boomerman @Owl @BigDuck @Xenophon Easy answer is you start earning money right away and it doesn't cost much + free schooling. The breakeven point between a union tradesman and a college grad for most people requires like 20 years. Even exceptionally smart people get stuck with jobs they're overqualified for, and that's brutal when you have a (((student loan))) to pay back. I'm not shilling for trades, but I am saying that it's fine to go either route. The richest people I know are business owners, and the majority started out or are still in construction. They have nicer houses from swapping services with other tradie or DIY since they learn a bit about everything in their field. The business owners mostly still do work themselves because their name is tied to their work and they want to do it right. That doesn't mean the guy in his 50s is lugging around lumber while directing a job, but he will pick up a board or hammer if it needs done.