i would put me and my wife in that category. while i work contract labor at my parents farm, their farm and my farm are 100% financially separate and custom rates are used for everything. keeps it clean. also puts a drive on me to succeed on my own instead of waiting to purchase my parents farm 15+ years from now hopefully........... keeping my 3 other siblings in mind as well....

the only thing i can say is from the time you first get a job at 16 it takes financial discipline.  saving money just to save money is key. working my town job and living at home w/no bills around age 19 i had whole $600+ weekly checks i had nothing to do with... almost all went to the bank. adds up quick after 5 years. i also married a gal who is as financially responsible as i could ever want with a good job...

with finances its always easy to average down. a DUI, unnecessary college debt, knocking up a girl with child support...... its easy to financially screw up. starting farming requires no mistakes. even then it just seems like a baby first starting to crawl. sooo slow.... i do see that many older farmers in my area really expanded from 45 on so i know my farming "prime" is a ways away. keeps me from getting impatient.

if i didnt want to farm and just live in town with an above average house and 2 year old vehicle life would be SOOOOOOOO easy.... this country still has what it takes for any person with discipline to live above middle class...