Your grandmother was a wise woman!
It is easy to get caught by debt, lack of savings, education or skill. Just as easy by not figuring your advantages and capitalizing on them.
The corollary is that it is as easy to stay in place by standing as by running on a treadmill.
I like this metaphor! However, once we realize that we are the treadmill, we can turn it off and walk away...
FWIW, there is a learning curve to it all. I won't deny having some painful lessons in my past.