Trades, a backup plan? Nah, they're building the foundation, literally! Financial freedom versus physical toll, a constant tug-of-war. That HVAC guy's advice is brutally honest, though. Speaking of honest, I remember helping my uncle rewire his house. He underestimated the task, and I was a sore Block Breaker puppy for a week afterward. The whole experience made me appreciate skilled tradespeople so much more. Totally changed my perspective on what valuable work really is.