We (almost) never use it in real life, unless we work for NASA or MIT. And, what we need to know for real life we can typically learn as we go along.
I get that the point of math class is not only about the math techniques in themselves but also about developing higher-order thinking, abstract thinking, etc. But there lots of ways of doing this that are much more interesting and meaningful. E.g.:

Have a debate about things that actually matter.
Write an essay about things that actually matter.
Solve some kind of real-world problem that actually matters.
Etc.


Occasionally, solving real-world problems will involve some math. Rarely, it will involve basic algebra. Almost never will it involve anything more advanced than that. And if ever the real-world problems a person encounters in life require it, a person can learn some calculus if they so choose.
One could argue that the person will be too far behind at that point, but that argument doesn't quite hold up. Those with the aptitude and passion will by default pursue those projects and subjects which are meaningful to them--be it astronomy, physics, epidemiology, etc.--and in the event that advanced math becomes necessary in those pursuits, they could not be better placed to fully understand and appreciate the value of that math than from within the contexts in which it is actually meaningful and useful. Indeed, there is no better way to learn math.