When I was at school, my parents looked down their nose at anyone going into vocational training at 16 (former Soviet Union). It have never even considered it.
2 degrees later, living in the UK, middle-management on £70k with night sweats about deadlines, I watch my plumber neighbour living to a similar standard, making his own rules when and with whom to work.
Two contractors coming to do my loft and en-suite respectively also seem content with earnings / lifestyle, the loft man used to be engineering manager.
I am excellent at decorating (painting) and have been thinking about jacking it in working for a man. At 46, female, am I being delusional about security and benefits of being self-employed? Where would I even start?