I put myself through college, and found my career in Software Engineering only 2 weeks out of school. Locally too. That was 10 years ago. With the savings I've built during that time, I was able to buy my first house 2 years ago, and this week, I paid off the remainder of my student loans - 5 years early.
I went as far as the solo level in a Cessna 150, flew around 20 hours, just so I could transition to an ultralight. Never looked back. Haven't flown since 2003.
A very good friend is an Air Force flight instructor, flew T38's, put one in a snow bank in Minot. as they say $hit happens. Dad was a pilot, soloed after 8 hours and had a license the same day, that was in 1949. Piper Cub.
A few things that have worked out well: 4.0 gpa in my masters degree Accident free 3000 hours of bush flying Happy 30 years of marriage No debts I am thankful that God provided the ability to do each of these. I try not to be proud, because under different circumstances, most beyond my control, they could have turned out very differently. Greg