I went all sides of this deal...I am 34 now.
as a teen had mom and dad paying my $300 month gas bill on a $40k car they bought me (1988ish)
During that time I was working for $6-10/hr in a bank since 12 really (1983ish), once I was driving worked the bank and did delivery...financed the first 7 years of my education on only $7k in loans and I didn't work.
Dropped out, bought a house with $40k down.
divorced...rented for a long time, partyed hard though....nice car and apartment, chicks and stuff.
went back to school again, met a fiancee, come home one day to no stuff in my apartment, $26k in two years of loans in school, a $17 job and find out she diverted my money and bought a 2000 Mustang GT and a Townhouse.
She turned off everything, and as someone on the lease, I couldn't just turn stuff back on.
Met a lot of chicks though and lived with them to basically take a hot shower and stuff....
Then I rebuilt.
I am getting ready to buy a home on my income alone. My parents did the same thing.
I may fall again sometime, but you have to know always you can get back if you dedicate.
I unfortunately see women and sun as a priority.