I grew up with little red sticker dots on household items of sentimental value that we were not to let bailiffs take if they came, and grew up resolving not to get into debt, ever.
And apart from a mortgage, so it has been.
It meant I have lived without lots of things I see others see as normal. I have always lived in areas affordable to me - areas frequently viewed with (undeserved, IMO /IME) horror on MN. I enjoy camping, have never borrowed money for the endless bathroom and kitchen updates that I see labelled as ‘needed’ on Property threads, am luckily not interested in expensive fashion / cars etc.
And have had a great life! Loads of fun, have undertaken adventurous non-luxury travel, etc.
I have also never been without work. Took jobs every student holiday, took ‘any job’ while waiting for ‘good’ job, etc.
And lucky never have had no choice but to juggle debt to feed the Dc or keep a roof over their heads. I am grateful.
But I do worry for my Dc, already with huge student loan debt and housing so expensive.