At 28, I bought my private while stationed at NAS Key West with the base flying club. Last 15 months or so on active duty, took a full time job and banked every penny I could. After separation, took the money I saved plus the GI bill and had enough to pay rent and flight training up to CFII (had an easy part time job to pay for food and beer). Finished flight training with zero dollars and zero debt.

Since then I instructed a year or so, worked 8 years for two 135 companies that have since both closed up, did the corporate thing for a year, and ended up flying a 121 Saab for "job security".