[Quiet Man Cometh]

Having a degree I think is more prestige than function. You don't need one to make money depending on what you want to do. I enjoyed getting mine, but it hasn't helped me make money or get a job. Right now, I'm back in school for a diploma program.

If you are interested in vocational stuff or trades, and don't have the money for formal education, perhaps consider apprenticing? Also, sometimes it's enough to find a place that will train you if you are interested in the work. Opportunities like that can be readily available if you are willing to move around. I used to live in a town where the labour pool was limited enough that trained people were hard come by, so if you were willing to learn on the job, you could get hired. I worked at a survey firm for a time having no experience in the field at all, but learned on the job.

A sibling took his natural computer skills and got a couple jobs with it, enough to challenge tests for various certifications, and got an apprenticeship from it. He has a very good job, now.