Finance is of course important, but it isn't the most important thing in life.
True, but it's notable that the most leave-centric age group (baby boomers) are also the wealthiest generation, including those before and after them. Who notably enjoyed such prosperity, while under the auspices of the EU and preceding organisations. They are also now becoming part of the politically protected"grey vote" who will always benefit at the expense of generations that come after. In that position, I wouldn't be as focused on money either.
Certainly for me, the arguments about sovereignty are secondary to the financial benefits and personal rights and freedoms that come as part of being in the EU.
BUT, even parking that argument, I come back to the central question of: What did anyone think was going to happen?
At the risk of again putting predictions in print, No Deal wasn't and still isn't, and won't be in the future a politically viable option. As such, we were always going to take what the EU was willing to give. Ie a poor deal, same responsibilities, less say in how those are arrived at.
And as for striking good trade deals with the likes of the US, that was always a lie only believable by the terminally short sighted. Trump has niw openly said he wants to screw the NHS on drug prices as part of any trade deal. Which is only to be expected from the MAGA president.