Great topic.. I've been wondering the same thing for a while now.
In my case, I've been working for 5 years since I left high school. Over the last 12 months I've saved heaps in my current IT job. The hours are terrible.. working 12 hour shifts 4 days a week, 2 of the days 7pm till 7am.
I can't complain though.. it beats stacking shelves. I sold my flashy new car, sold my bike.. no more going out.. no more partying.. no more holidays. I plan to spend everything I have next year on flight training ie. full time ppl/cpl/atpl course.
I know the sacrifice will be worth it.
Good luck to those of us who had to earn $$$ by ourselves!
Regards,
Lachlan