why remain in prison, when the door is wide open?
I want to go into medicine (partly) because it fascinates me. There are other reasons, but certainly an unending curiosity is a part of it - and thus I specifically want a career with a lifetime of learning. I would infact be very disappointed if the 10 years of postbac education you refer to is all there is...
Sure, sometimes I don't feel like studying, but with any job, there are periods where you don't feel like doing the task immediately infront of you that must be done. If your concept of a regular job is that you just sit for 8 hours then carry on worry free I strongly urge you to try it - not because I believe you will get a rude awakening to the reality of it (though I suspect you will) which involves just as much, if not more tedium and undesirable tasks, and just as much worry and taking of work home - but I urge you to do it as if you go into medicine with that belief you will always envy them and become one of those sad, bitter, disillusioned docs we all have experienced.
As to your concept that most people go to college and that they are somehow "free" of mommys allowance. Most people don't even go to college, they just get a job straight out of high school. Do you envy those people even more? They went to a pay check even sooner! And all these people actually still have people to answer to - bosses and banks - and I guarantee none of them believes they have "enough" money...it's just one of those universal constants.
Finally the notion that one must maintain perfect grades and go straight through without a year off is bunk. I've been accepted to one of the top US med schools - but I 'dropped out' of college at one stage of my journey to today - and have spent many years out of college, working, travelling, living and loving. There are many ways to live your life. I strongly recommend you live it the way you think is right for you - rather than trying to follow a formula which as evidenced by people like me - just doesn't need to be followed if you don't want to.