In my family, the admonition, "You'll never get rich if you work for someone else!" was often repeated by my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents until we started it saying it ourselves.
Many of them were entrepreneurs, selling goods and services: building, performing mechanical and construction repairs, cleaning, teaching, sewing, picking and growing. My relatives may not have ever become "rich" by the standards of greater society however, the autonomy and freedom to do the work they enjoyed did indeed make them wealthy, at least in terms of becoming self-sufficient and improving aspects of their health.
Self-Sufficiency
I can fix most anything---or rather, I can take most anything apart, replace the broken parts, and put it back together. From the first light switch that I replaced at my parents' house, to the lighting that I installed most recently at my own house, I have a skillset that can rival some handymen/women. I learned from my parents to watch, ask questions, listen and learn from anyone who does work for me. I often tell the workers, "I am watching closely because the next time I need this done, I will do it myself." (Well except for some plumbing work...I leave that to the professionals!).
In addition to wearing a toolbelt around the house, I also grow vegetables. Growing vegetables for one's household (and sometimes enough to share with others) is one of the most important skills that I learned from my mom and dad, skills that I am still developing. I grow multiple vegetable plants each summer outdoors and I also maintain an indoor tomato and pepper garden during the winter.
The ability to pick a squash, cucumber or tomato directly from the vine is one of the most satisfying experiences, and I can enjoy it throughout the summer. Given the sharp increase in grocery prices, it is especially appreciated this summer. If not for the rising temperatures and unpredictable weather caused by climate change, my garden spaces would surely flourish this year.
