UK Debt Trap: How & Why We're Escaping 

10 years ago, I met this beautiful family that lived on a sailboat and later a finca in Spain. I rented their airbnb and wondered how they afforded this lifestyle. Turns out they created a board game that teaches you a new language. It was such a clever, creative and financially smart idea. Always loved how it was a non-internet product!

I hope you never stop creating because you are some of the only relatable creators left…watched you since day one and you’ve never sold out…you’re right- nothing lasts, even when you’re doing everything right ❤ x

For me it is that they become completely unrelatable. Influencers generally gain their following because and audience clicks with them, and finds them relatable. Then they gain all the success (which is earned and wonderful), but the relatability disappears and we are almost just watching people brag every week. Then due to the success content slows and is far from frequent. The audience just gets left behind. That distance has been made worse by the massive increase of cost of living.

So happy for you guys!! This whole influencer thing is really slowing down and I can’t think of two people who deserve this more! Woohoo!!!🙌❤👏

It worked!! You’ve tapped into something massive here mate. 🎉Looking forward to getting our pack in the post. 😊

I was enjoying the handpan music and then well impressed when I saw you playing. It’s one instrument I want to learn to play. I’m glad this is working out for you and hope that it will grow and flourish.

First time I’ve commented, but I’ve watched your videos for years. Soooo happy to feel this magic. You’ve created something truly special, and something we all desperately need. Well done. Excited to order a box for our family. Thank you ✨. Really really enjoy watching your style of video x

Nothing lasts . Yeah but you know what you guys are being fluid and ready to change and go with the flow. Love this video

Love how honest and authentic you guys are and have always been. In a way, I feel bad for influencers of the past, they fell into a trap really and those without foresight/with huge egos, could not see the bubble ever bursting. You’re right, nothing ever lasts. A conventional career path may have more longevity and stability but less freedom. Since you’re in a position to be free, go for it! Good luck with your new venture…and always be ready to pivot! X

So happy for you. This reminds me of my childhood in the 70s when we actually had blackouts. We didn't really have much to watch on TV with the 3 channels we has in black and white. But having no electricity used to be so exciting. By candlelight infront of a coal fire we would all sit as a family together and dad would read to us and get a conversation going or mum and dad would tell us a story from their childhood and we'd ask questions and get to know them better and they'd get to know us better. We'd do general knowledge quizzes etc. It made us strong as a family and instilled in us a love of suspending valuable family time which I carried on with my own kids even though there were no blackouts. You've brought that to a new generation, a generation more in need than ever of this grounding in each other. I love it and wish you every success with the add on packs and special editions. And thank you too, thank you for the positive experiences you are going to bring families that will last a lifetime and beyond.

Stef! Your magic on video editing is so precious, the last bit where the background music was you playing that instrument the whole time was brilliant. Love these details. Congratulations on the blackoutcards!

I've followed your channel since the Maggs London days and have loved watching your family grow. As much as I enjoy the montages, I think its great that you're talking about the things that everyone in the country is also worrying about. Hats off to you guys and I'm glad you're getting the support you deserve. Looking forward to our BlackOut cards arriving and seeing your adventures in Portugal!

Love your content recently! Love the honesty, and not going with the flow. Congratulations on the cards success 🎉. Btw, appreciate the fact your video starts immediately with no commercials, wonder why don't more RU-vidrs do that.

So pleased for you. Well done for making this awesome sounding product I really hope it continues to grow and grow and take you and your content to awesome places xxx

I have followed you guys from day dot when Hannah started her pregnancy videos. I’m so pleased for your black out cards. They are amazing and I will be getting some as they bring people to talk and human interactions which are getting lost which is so sad. AI is scary thing, I really worry where it will go. But what I can say I still believe that there is still a place for actually people on you tube that we want to watch. You are so lovely to watch. ❤

I can relate to this existential crisis. I will say as someone who has moved to the country from the city, started a little homestead, it still doesn’t solve all problems. No matter how hard we try to remove ourselves from the system, we are still a part of it. Having young kids, it seems more critical to figure it out. I’m Stewarding these young beautiful, precious humans into their own life journeys and it feels so dire. We have family in Portugal, and LOVE Portugal. We’ve spoken about trying a season there as well. It’s much harder to do coming from the US. Anyway, I’m looking forward to watching your journey unfold. You are speaking about so many truths happening in the world right now. It feels like a tipping point.

I'm SO happy and excited for you on your new business. I'm personally a fan and I can't wait to actually start making my own money to buy your cards and support you. You really deserve it.

Quick idea to expand this quickly....different languages! My kids speak french and finnish. I would totally purchase the cards in one of those 2 languages 😊

I've been following you guys for a ton of years now from another account. I re-followed you recently (few of the channels that I did so). I wholeheartedly hope you get all that you need.

Great video. Awesome creation ❤ Not just luck, you are changing how you think and feel. New vibe happening! ❤

Telling it.. how it is.. instead of pretending. Thank you! Congratulations on the black out cards 🎉

SO HAPPY for you both that the presale went really well. honestly sometimes you just gotta keep throwing spaghetti at the wall until something sticks yanno. good for you guys! cheers! happy weekend!

I've followed since Gray was a little baby and been here for all the stages. You guys were (are) always a source of joy (the silky sundays) and I am so happy for this success!! I adore the fact that you guys are so real and not selling/sharing bullsht to your audiency ❤

Remember the blackout date nights you had…and now here we are for everyone to enjoy them! ❤ thank you so much for for sharing this so honestly, the tide is changing and we gotta keep reinventing & growing xx

I've just bought a set of Black Out Cards for my sister's family and one for my brother's . Ideal gift for each when we go camping, thank you.

I’m so glad the cards are working out for you guys this makes me so happy. I will buy a pack when soon. Things are just getting so crazy expensive especially in the bigger cities in Canada. A lot of people that lived in the downtown core of Toronto have been pushed out into outside towns (and even those are getting pricey) or more affordable provinces. Rent prices are so insane & buying a house/condo is super hard now unless you’re making a huge salary. I have been thinking constantly to move to another country that can ease my cost of living…but that also means leaving everyone I know behind (plus I’m single). I guess I will see… I miss your old cinematic videos of you guys going to a park or something. You truly are brilliant at making videos. Anyhow am really looking forward to the new adventures in Portugal. Sending much love from Canada!!💕💕💕

Just done a cheeky order to Australia! Been with you guys since the Hannah met Zoella video 😀 I love your authenticity, it’s why I’m still here and not subscribed to others now. Amazing work, I may have to gift this to a few friends and family in the U.K. ♥️

So happy for you all. ❤ also the reason I argue with my mum so much is because she tells the same anecdotes over and over and I want to scrape my face off 😂 never know that was an adhd thing but it makes sense!

you know that one sunday morning coffee with one of your videos that was suggested to me led me to subscribe and watch every week. You have an amazing creative mind. i’ve not ordered the game but it’s a brilliant idea and it should in stores everywhere, all over the world!

Hello from Canada Stef …… ordered your cards today. Your passion and enthusiasm is contagious…. Wish you and your family the best and hoping that your plans to move to Portugal materializes …. Hopefully we can see you there when we return early next year ….. keep the videos going …. Cheers.

It’s hard time for lots of families and people. Always wondering how to make extra money not just to pay your bills but to live too. Something AI will never be able to do is give people that connection to a family. You have an amazing skill for editing and story telling, that hopefully opportunities will continue to flow. I always wondered how other families on RU-vid not to blast names, who are so fake, untalented and not genuine seem to be what’s popular. You as a family deserve the very best. I will be ordering this game to play with my family.

As Family RU-vidr myself, I can relate to what's you guys experiencing, when I started, there were very few Indonesian RU-vidr abroad, and these days soooooo many new RU-vidrs and they're killing it! my channel barely survived at one point, but I keep going because I love doing it and its nice memory to look back to. And I've been watching your vlog since Hannah pregnant, Grayson was born and changed to weekly vlog which you guys inspired me to do weekly vlog too then;) And I'm one of your loyal subscribers who wait for your new update, whatever you share. I appreciate your videos so please keep creating and sharing. Wishing you guys all the best with the new business! xxx

as a UGC creator who is currently eating lunch (not choked yet!!!) I can confirm that I'm still in an existential crisis and worry about money often! I too suspect i have adhd and this is my 4th business i set up in 2 years... ultimately youtube is where i want to be. but it's slow going. Anyway! I bought the blackout cards a few weeks back and sooooo excited to see them! 🥰 keep creating these vids, coz I will never stop watching! 🧡

I'm waiting for the friends version to come and I'll be ordering!! Congrats guys it's a great product ❤

It's actually really nice to hear someone talk about how difficult it is financially in this way, especially as someone in their late twenties it's easy to sort of glorify things and assume that financial worries will eventually disappear but a tadte of reality is quite healthy and helpful i think 😊 Oh and the "nothing lasts" reminded me of Alan Watts' "everything is change" which is quite interesting, maybe a different take on the same idea of impermanence...

Just ordered some Blackout Cards. I’m a bit older than you but I’m also fed up with meaningless consumption and ‘stuff’. I mute adverts on TV and social media as the majority make me feel ill. About to go into a few days of my phone being mostly off. I want to be more thoughtful about what I watch and listen to on TV and online. There is some great stuff out there though. Hope all goes well with the move abroad.

Hey Stef, great work with the cards. I miss the visits with dad. I feel like we would go through seasons with the channel and when dad would visit, the channel would bloom with energy again. Hope you’re doing well x

Soooo happy for you guys! I've been watching since the London days and it really fills me with joy that the blackout cards are doing well 😊 are you planning to create a couples version? I don't have kids but would love to buy a pack one day!

Thrilled for you guys! The product is so good. Not sure if you mentioned this, but was the inspiration for the name from your Blackout Nights back in the day?

Congratulations guys😊. As you are wanting to move to Portugal you could also create different sets of cards to learn the Portuguese vocabulary. Interactive for kids/adults.

Great idea Stef - the same could work for teambuilding in company such a game from time to time for team

Love the blackout cards!

I've been watching you and your family for years and I wish you nothing but success with these cards! I don't have kids so I won't be buying but if you made some for couples, things we could discuss that isn't the usual "what's your biggest dream" to help people connect and get off their phones, I would be interested for sure! I'm a mental health peer support worker & small dopamine rushes from TikTok is something I'm seeing ruining a lot of clients mental health, so I will for sure be recommending these cards as an alternatives for families! :)

Fantastic 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🌻❣️

So happy for you! I love this idea. Can you ship to France (and then do them in more languages 😁). Would love to put them on our retreat airbnbs

The Dad Challenge Podcast and the Myka Stauffer case without doubt.

We will get you to Portugal guys. We will!!!!

People loved it because it just a project that ressemble You and your content and what emotions it brings your viewers. Ive been watching you for 10 years I think because you guys bring me comfort peace and closeness. And so do your game. I was wondering why you don’t really promote it on your socials ?

A friends one and a couples one would be amazing I’d so buy that I don’t have kids but to get me and partner chatting is such a nice idea ❤

CONGRATS on THE SUCCESS of your CARDS! 🍸🍾🎈🙏 They're a BRILLIANT IDEA!

well done! so happy this worked, I dont have children and i dont plan to have them but would be nice to have one for friends and couples!

I bought them immediately

There are no 'fails', you either Win or you Learn ❤

You can make them in different lanquages?

I had two AI interviews and both assessed me completely wrongly saying I didn’t like to speak my mind in one and the other said I didn’t like to lead. I have been leading on projects in the public sector and used to be a community campaigner so you can imagine I for sure always speak my mind and the AI isn’t always right. I hope we don’t go that way!

I think there is a shift happening, you’re right. People are waking up to how much we’re being fucked over.

mm not sure anything has killed the influencers as they are EVERYWHERE. its just not as easy as it used to be and im personally glad about that. keep doing your art and let those who dont get it go elsehwere.

Haha, the anecdote thing! If I doubted the existence of my own ADHd, you’ve just confirmed it 🥴

Im so intrigued how you filmed yourself on your bike?

Hey Steph, just tried to buy some but we live in the Isle of Man and the online checkout won’t allow our postcode. It’s very common on lots of sites, but Royal Mail and various other companies don’t charge any more to deliver here, so it would be great if you could include us in the places you ship to!

Do your blackout cards will be available in different languages (German)? I’m bilingual, but my family isn’t, but I love the idea of them. I even would translate them for you for a free finished German product. 😉 Lots of love from the Berlin area! x

I will purchase one as well to save my relationship, because we hardly communicate on a prpfound level anymore hihi😊

TikTok can be different too. Maybe you’d consider making a part of your content for it too. With your quality and creativity you can gain more audience there and creator find is also a good thing. Id subscribe to you immediately

Totally relate re ADHD!

How do I get in touch with the channel? I have a place in Portugal, in the mountains, an old retreat centre with acomodation open to the right people. I have an idea i would like to discuss with you. I hope this message finds its way to you.... I'm also from UK, left 10 yrs ago and Ive created tis place ever since then

$67 Australian dollars.. (shipping is a bitch) I’d love to get them. Can I get the ecards instead?

How about deleting tik tok from your phone?!

You know, I actually have watched you guys for years but unsubscribed myself when you got the new house. After a time, it just seemed like all of your content was about design options, fit and finish to your house that only the very most well off of us all could consider indulging in... It made you guys difficult to relate to. So I unsubscribed. I subscribed again today because of this video. Glad you've come back to earth. As one who has done what you are seeking to do, every step forward on this trail leads to freedom, ease and happiness my friends. Your life is waiting for you.

What is the number one thing parents are concerned with for their children? TECHNOLOGY. Addiction to iphones, ipads, etc. How do they solve this problem and make it fun for their children? How will they get the children to cooperate? What's more fun than a Blackout? Yes, it is stressful, but so many times as a child when the power went out, it was exciting. We were all surviving together. Your business should be focused on this issue. How do you persuade your children to step away from the technology willingly? Focus on bringing family together with blackout rituals. You better copyright this shiz right now. p.s. I'm excited for you. Creating businesses is a nightmare. You fail almost 100% of the time. It's awful. I hope you continue to soar.

Steph you gotta look into human design! You might be a manifesting generator, and that’s why you put so many eggs in baskets 😆 or you could be a Manifestor…It changed my life when I figured out my design.

Am I the only one that thinks Grayson looks like a kiddo Machine Gun Kelly

Why do you label yourself with ADHD. You are a grown up and are able to make decisions yourself. eg. the decision to spend life without a phone or screen, ..... at least for 20 hours a day!

I used to watch you years ago, and I have started watching again. We are all very nervous about the future and I think those who have woken up are scared and trying to navigate a future that's best for us and our family. I think social media and the internet has such a negative impact on our lives now, we need new pathways! It is a great idea to do these black out cards :) x

Don't let the corrupt big company's steal your game, your ideas, this what they do all the time. Be careful to share your ideas to world before it is finished.

I absolutely love your content. It’s so relatable and refreshing. I would love for you to make a couples version of the blackout cards as I don’t have kids. I’d 100% buy them in the future as I love the idea and actively trying to spend less time on my phone (like so many of us are moving in that direction!) 🫶🏻🙌🏻

Telling it.. how it is.. instead of pretending. Thank you! Congratulations on the black out cards 🎉