Going back to the basics, here is a definition of luck (courtesy of Dictionary.com | Find the Meanings and Definitions of Words at Dictionary.com)
1. the force that seems to operate for good
or ill in a person's life, as in shaping
circumstances, events, or opportunities: With my luck I'll probably get
pneumonia.
2. good fortune; advantage or success,
considered as the result of chance: He had no luck finding work.
3. a
combination of circumstances, events, etc.,
operating by chance to bring good or ill to a
person: She's had
nothing but bad luck all year.
4. some
object on
which good fortune is supposed to depend: This rabbit's foot is my luck.
Good luck, bad luck...it seems that the definitions do not include the influence of a person's own actions or decisions.
I believe it is a person's initiative and effort that makes for financial success, decisions to save and invest versus chronic uncontrolled spending, and the resultant ability to retire early.
Outside forces and events cannot be controlled, but a person always has control on how they react and adapt to good and bad "luck".