Granted this was 1995, so adjust for inflation.

Went to VoTech High School. Was a Senior, who was allowed on what we called "extended co-op" (I didn't have to go to school anymore after NewYears my senior year)

I was getting $13 an hour then. So $23-24 an hour in today's money.

I started doing a bunch of work out of my driveway reflooring dump trailers and such. I was making probably $300 a day after expenses but I worked my rear off to do it.

Still have my first set of torches and welder. I asked for torches for my birthday when I was 11. Got them. Got a stick welder for making honor roll in 9th grade.