Welcome jwdDawg
Just to let you know it is realistically possible, my 31 year old cousin was self employed as a courier, mainly involved in government work. Then 9/11 happened, and his business nosedived as he wasn't allowed his truck onto government property. Some weeks he wasn't working at all, which meant no income, yet his truck and mortgage payments and household bills still had to be met.
I got him an interview with my boss who took him on as a helper just a couple of months ago, and he is adapting so well, that an apprenticeship is just around the corner.
He is not getting anywhere the wages he was used to, but is happier being around a decent bunch of guys. He has prospects, and like yourself, a thirst for knowledge, so you should both go far.
Good luck, and as a new member to this board myself, I can vouch that you will learn a lot just by checking in.
