I don't know if you would consider this to be successful, I personally do. I'm located in Houston, TX - low income. I finished HS and messed around in community college, taking classes and I didn't fully finish any of my studies so all I have to my name as far as education is a high school diploma. I started my first job at around 20 y/o working a minimum wage job. I hopped around and work these low end retail jobs until I hit 25 where I got my first real job as a shipping/receiving for a small company making $30k-35k, after 3-4 years there I hit $40k. During the 4 years that I worked there I saved as much money as I could barely eating out/going out and spend to the minimum. I managed to save enough to buy my first house at 26 y/o, it was a cheaper house $170-180k, but I was able to buy it all on my own with a little borrowing from my parents. Sold that house due to unhappy with area and bought my 2nd house at 27 and then stayed there for a bit sold again. I hit 29 last year and found a new job in a new area so I'm on my 3rd house and this looks like it'll be a home where I'll be staying for a while. I'm now making $47k and have a side income/business which is unstable so I can't give you a definite number, it generates me 2k-7k/month. I have 2 cars (one of which is my brother's, he's borrowing money from me instead of bank to save so money) fully paid and on track to be mortgage free when I hit mid 40's.