When we think of someone working in the trades, we often picture a blue-collar worker with a lower pay grade. The entertainment industry and media always seem to portray it this way. Those with college degrees live in a nice big house with a manicured lawn. They go on fancy trips and dine at the finest restaurants. A tradesperson is often portrayed as having a large family with a tiny house, living paycheck to paycheck. It’s no wonder why we fear our kid's future if they don’t go into college....

When our kids are born, we start thinking about who they will become in the future. We all have these dreams of our kids going to college, graduating with a job lined up - - maybe as a doctor, lawyer, or accountant. We start savings accounts like 529 plans when they are young to help pay for college.  As our kids enter high school, you start hearing other parents talk about college tours, their kids' excellent SAT scores, and their acceptance into different colleges. Meanwhile, you struggle to...