all of this is apparently unknown to most.

It is amazing, isn't it? I know at times I am far worse with money than I should be, but at other times I am far better with it than most, which saves me. I also tend to work my ass off at what I do, which brings some benefits.

I don't think many Gen X, Millennials, or Zoomers have had that kind of experience.

I don't think so. Though, I am Gen-X and most of my friends were working from around 16 years of age on. For me, I was working from 12 with cash in hand jobs, as it was the only way I could get money for anything I wanted. It taught me independence, but not sure if for better or worse yet.

A friend of mine (from the US) brought up how many people are living one paycheck away from nothing. It is incredible that society functions at all there - but then, that is what the gaps are there for - so that the affluent part, don't see much of the financially effluent part.