If we are going to walk down memory lane, here's my pathetic story:
I've been working since age 15. Always paid for my cars, insurance, gas and maintenance.
Put myself through college. Graduated, got a job, got married at 23 and bought a house. Interest rates at the time (1982) were 20.1%, assuming you could even get a loan. We skipped a fancy wedding and used the money from the wife's parents ($10,000) for a down payment.
Saved, saved, saved and never lived extravagantly. No consumer debt, and tried to pay cash for cars when we could. Never refinanced the house to buy consumer goods or go on vacation.
MAYBE one day I'll get to retire, but that remains to be seen. I doubt I'll ever collect a dime of social security.
Luckily, my son is on a full academic scholarship at Texas A&M (and is in the Corps of Cadets) and is studying Petroleum Engineering. That break is worth at least $150k!
I think you are doing okay ms. pint. The very fact you are concerned about this is good. Just keep plowing away and it will pay off like mr. fire said.