I chose to learn a skilled trade as a tool and die maker. The schooling was paid for by my employer where i learned the trade while getting paid for it. The starting rate was 50% of what a journeyman was paid. Adjusting for inflation I made no more in the year 2000 than i did in 1980 when I finished my apprenticeship. I haven't worked since 2000 due to a debilataing illness but get the equivalent of Walmart wages with a disability check.

I have all I need and all I want materially even though I am living on less than half of what I used to bring home. A number of my friends are worried about losing their job at the local auto plant. The bigger they are the harder they fall. My jobs never paid union wages. I wish I knew what to tell them but I don't think they would appreciate the less is more philosophy of life.