Hi Everyone. Here is a brief intro which led me to joining this group. Originally from a council estate in Merseyside and worked a decade for the Dept of Social Security. Eventually got married to a lady from California and moved to L.A. in 2005 and started a family. Now in my 50’s and really feeling the strain as talked about in Anthony’s video’s. The cost of living (esp since Covid) and general shift in society have made it hard to get by, mentally, physically and financially. No matter how many hours I work, the pay is never enough to cover the bills.i think my home insurance has increased £500pm over the last year. Cancelling Netflix ain’t gonna cover that. I see my kids less and less because I am always working or sleeping. My health is rapidly deteriorating due to bad diet, a sedentary lifestyle with no time to exercise. If I focus on myself then the bills don’t get paid. I am mentally strong but it’s taking its toll. I stay positive and am grateful for my family and many things. I know we are not supposed to post quotes but there is one that is stuck in my mind and resonates with me. “No one is coming to save you”. Sorry if this sounds fragmented. I am in a rush to get back to work. Hope to get to know you all in the future. Best regards

Well Lads, its Friday 31st of July. Currently doing my final 3pm till 3am shift at this company. I've got nowt lined up for after yet and I've got to be honest I'm looking forward to using a bit of time to sort myself out a bit and recharge. I've got a 2 week holiday to greece coming up and can I not wait to get on that plane. I've always stressed about losing a job in the past. This time though it feels like one door closing and another one is going to open for me. Hope you are all doing OK lads and hope you all have a great weekend. What have we all got planned?

Afternoon Gents. I don't know about you guys but at 45 years old I don't have the energy or motivation to retrain into a new career. And even if I did I don't think changing careers is going to give me the kind of freedom I want in life. So for me it has to be a side hustle that could grow into something that can support me financially, that gets me out of this typical working life we all live in. So im wondering what your thoughtsare on starting something for yourselves. Be it YouTube, or some kind of online business? What's your ideas and has anyone began building a side hustle yet?

Let's be honest for a minute. What's the biggest battle you're fighting right now that nobody around you really knows about? I'll go first. Mine isn't money or work. It's more the battle in my own head. I'm trying to build something that gives me a way out of shift work and a life with more freedom. Some days I'm full of belief. Other days I question everything, lose motivation, and wonder if I'm wasting my time. Most people only ever see the finished product. They don't see the self-doubt, the overthinking, or the days when you have to force yourself to keep going. But that's exactly why this community exists. No judgement. No pretending. Just men being honest, backing each other, and refusing to give up. So what's your battle right now?

To me freedom is being away from the rat race and the noise! I'd like us to be somewhere quiet with a slow pace of life! Obviously we'd still need money but wouldn't it be nice to earn it on our own terms and not have our arses owned by an employer!! I also don't think you can get freedom in the UK anymore, unless you're stinking rich! Sorry to say I completely detest the UK and everything it stands for nowadays!