back in the day (seems like ancient history now) I actually had two jobs...
a hobby shop and Arby's. I paid for my own cars (at one point had 4 in my possession, two 86 thunderbirds, an 82 Jeep CJ7, and a '66 buick special rustbucket), insurance, and went to school, and worked about 40 hrs a week (20 hrs each job). with enough drive, you can do anything you want
and just remember one thing...it's never too early to think about retirement. if you put about 2 g's away each year from the time you turn 21 till you turn 40, you can have 7 figures in your retirement fund if you invest wisely. THEN imagine what kinda sweet RC gear you can get