The desire to be independent is hardwired. The ABILITY to be independent is learned behaviour. Want to be a great sailor living aboard well on the cheap?
Become adept with tools.
It is easier to become a proficient sailor when your gear works. It is more comfortable to live aboard when the systems work. Your budget goes farther when you don't have to pay somebody else to
repair, replace or improve sysatems on your boat.
The best part is, you can start today, even without a boat, even without a lot of money. Buy some second hand tools from a pawn shop and take your house/apartment/car apart and put it back together. Learn how to use your tools and the systems you are poking and prodding. Start simple, with the sink trap, for example.