Host: Welcome back to $$Life$$s Work,$$ the podcast where we dive into the personal journeys of young professionals. Today, we have a special episode titled $$The Carpenter$$s Ledger,$$ where we explore the intersection of family, finances, and adulthood from the perspective of an $18-$year$-$old carpenter. Young Carpenter: Hey listeners, I$$m Alex, and I$$ve recently stepped into the world of full$-$time work. It$$s been a wild ride of newfound freedom and responsibility. I$$m here to share a bit of my story, which might resonate with many of you. Just a few months ago, I was celebrating my high school graduation and my carpentry certification. Now, I$$m navigating the adult world with a job that not only pays the bills but also fuels my passion for building and creating. The other day, I found myself in front of my computer, paycheck in hand, ready to invest in some quality tools. It$$s one of those moments that mark the beginning of a career, right? But as I was comparing tool chests, my mom walked in$.$ We$$ve always had