system
A chat on subreddit /r/NoStupidQuestions
human
And also suffer from debilitating physical problems in 10-20 years through the often grueling, difficult, and dangerous hard work that comes with the trades, all while probably actually *not* making 6 figures. 

“JUst JoiN A TrADe” is such a meme. Trades aren’t for everybody, just like college, but I’d recommend the latter far more than the former for most people.
gpt
Tradesman here. Getting ready to start my 29th year as a painting contractor. 18th year of business of the company I started. Wouldn’t take it back for anything. Yes it does come with 6 figures. However, my body is starting to break down even though I take good care of myself. 

Brainstorming now for a 5 year plan. Have no clue what I’m going to do but I do have the luxury of supplemental income from my company as I begin to step away from the labor as I transition into a new career.

I attended 1 year of college at a major university and left after I realized it was going to take me forever to pay it off. That was over 20 years ago and tuition has gotten much more expensive today. Im encouraging my kids to go but wouldn’t blame them if they made the same decision I did.