We're Making A Big Change, But Taking A Huge Risk [SSFF] 

Thanks everyone for watching and for helping us get this far. Help us get to our new Patreon goal of 3,000 patrons! ☠ ► bit.ly/SSFFpatreon Next video is on December 27th!

Oh my god, you scared me. I thought you were going to let the skeletons fight.

I'm a fan of whatever is healthier for you guys, both creativity-wise and mental health-wise. So I welcome this change! You guys are my favorite RU-vid channel, so I'll be more than happy to keep supporting the dumb video game videos only you guys can do. Stay powerful

Watching this, one thing's clear: Derek is a great guy and deserves support 💚 2022's gonna be a banner year for SSFF!

I prefer to pay per month. Upped my tier to compensate. Keep being awesome, Derek and Grace.

You've been part of the retro scene for so long and I for one am glad you are still pumping them out. Thank you for all the smiles!

This is a "can't miss a video" channel for me! Y'all are killing it, so do it how you feel it is best for you to do it. But we need a video on Guitar Hero/Rock Band controllers, the regular, the weird limited ones, the strange bootlegs, and what games are beatable with them

Uncle Derek and Producer Grace, firstly, thank you for entertaining us all with your videos and podcast! You help keep me sane, and give me strengh to fight my depression. Secondly, I am confident that 3000 patreon supporters isn't that far off on the horizon. I will be increasing pateron donation to celebrate you guys, because I want to and because I can. Thank you, guys! You mean so much to us all!

Been a fan since early HVGN. Best of luck with everything.

As long as the channel retains the relentless optimism and positivity, I'll be watching. That's why I got into HVGN all those years ago: "Wait, people can make videos about games they LIKE?!" Total novelty at that time, and I'm glad that the community has moved more in that direction lately.

I've been around since the HVGN days and was a casual follower back then which enjoyed your body of work. The rebrand to Stop Skeletons surprised me, but it was extremely successful and impressive to pull off. It honestly turned me into a fan due to carving a cool niche for yourself. That rebrand alone gives you a free pass to make decisions for the best. Keep doing what you're doing and best of luck in the future.

The same exact thing happens on my channel. The long deep dives into the lore and production of Waterworld go pretty far, but the videos on rare and unusual Waterworld collectables always sink.

Honestly one of my favourite people on RU-vid. It’s rare to see someone doing this that appears as genuine and invested. Happily supporting now and just surprised I hadn’t been supporting you before now. Merry Fishmas

I've been watching the channel since the beginning and still loving every moment of it, I hope 2022 is another banger year for SSFF

Personally, I feel like monthly is less intimidating and easier to swallow for most supporters vs paying per video. Something in the back of my mind always wonders if the creator might have an unexpectedly productive month and hit me with an unusually expensive bill if I'm paying for each video.

FINE! I'll go to your Patreon, but ONLY because I love you guys and your content and you asked and not because I should've done so a year or two ago when I first started watching you.

Holy crap its 15 years old by now... Thats a lot for 300k, but you guys have been doing good still. Good luck with the future still, you guys are awesome

You're the only creator that I have notifications on for. Super humble, super relatable. I might just make you guys the only Patreon sub I get. HUGE RESPECT to pulling back the curtains. keep up the awesome work

This has been one of my favorite channels for the last 6 years. I've never been in a position where I could help support the channel through patreon but I hope that this will work out for you guys. My heart goes out to everyone at ssff ❤

Watching you evolve (and add Producer Grace!) over the years has brought me nothing but joy. Glad to hear you keep on keepin' on. Re-subbed for 2022 and beyond!

I like how frank you are, talking about your situation and such. I at times don't have the same sense of humour as the show but really like the videos for how obscure and well researched the topics are. Genuinely wish you the best, keep on going.

2:42 recently got diagnosed with ADHD after years of suspicion, and I totally feel the “crunch” mindset. Feel like it’s impossible to start anything until I have the pressure of an approaching deadline

With half the Patreon income, Derek will only be able to say, "Hey, I'm Derek"

I found you from your Splatterhouse retrospective videos. From that moment I hit that subscribe button and every time I see a video come out from you guys, I get excited and make sure I watch it as soon as I possibly can. Do whatever you need to do in order to be able to continue creating the madcap genius videos that you make. You have the most in depth reviews on the most obscure shit out there and I love hearing you gush about absurd things as well. Not going anywhere for sure and will continue to support you no matter what.

"We are going to give you all the numbers" my man, you earned yourself a thumbs up.

I get the hesitancy but you're definitely moving the channel in the right direction. Video game content on YT is moving to more longform, high effort stuff and the "exposure" that people used to need to keep up with regularly bi weekly or weekly videos isn't needed anymore. Through streaming/Patreon you can stay in touch and keep up visibility while working on those major videos that really push the channel on! I'm really confident this change will work out for you guys. More creative freedom means better quality videos and ultimately they are what grows the channel! I know my Patreon pledge is money well spent - can't wait for what you've got in store.

Just because of your transparency, I'm in, you SOB. Keep up the good work, Uncle Derek.

I've been following this channel since the HVGN days, and I remember pledging to the Patreon at one point. I had to pull my pledge due to my own finances, but I am now 100% back on board because I trust Derek and Grace to give us the very best they have! You guys have got this!

Yes!! Love you guys, love your work. Happy to keep supporting the Patreon and telling the world about you guys. I love everything you put out, but in retrospect, I think I do prioritize the longer videos! Or at least I'll plan a night around eating dinner while I watch a longer video when one comes out. Happy you two are in a place where you feel like you can take this risk, I think it will pay off for you two. Love you tons, happy holidays, enjoy your break, you RULE! 🙏❤

Will tell the wife that I had to sit down with Uncle Derek and Producer Grace to discuss the finances and they needed our support. Joined the Patreon at the $10 tier. Thanks for being such a bright spot in my day.

Derek - Do NOT apologize for discussing your financial situation in this video. It's honestly really amazing to see a channel be open and transparent like this. You often hear people say that you can make a living as a content creator, and that's a dream for a lot of people, but very rarely is there actual discussion of what that means and the considerations/calculations you need to make when attempting it. There's also just a lot of active dishonesty, and many content creators and influencers try to pretend like they are making more money than they actually are. You're helping normalize these types of discussions so people can have a better appreciation for all the work that goes into running a channel like this and what it means to make it your job. Thanks again for the radical transparency, always love your videos.

I started watching you back in 2013 when I moved back with my mom and we shaved our heads together for her breast cancer (she beat it and is healthy and strong). Your HVGN videos got me through a lot, especially the rocketknight adventures one. Thanks for inspiring my growth through life, watching you adapt and grow as I've adapted and grown has been priceless. You haven't peaked and i haven't either! I finally made it from a regular line cook/restaurant employee to running my own restaurant as a GM. I aim to own my own place one day and I'll tackle any obstacle that gets in my way. Thanks for all the good times Chief! Here's to many more! 🎉💪🏽

The sheer joy you and Producer Grace have for these videos is inspiring. And my heart soars to hear you so excited about how you continue to grow after 14 years. You can count on my support.

Years ago I once commented on a previous patreon video that one day when I was in a place to afford to support RU-vidrs, that you would be the first. I start a new job in 2 weeks that puts me in a position I never thought possible. Excited to think that the first $5 I spend will be on your patreon.

"More money, less (better?) content. Pledge now!"

"We put aside 20% for taxes [from the start.]" You should not do it that way. This is your business. These are all sources of revenue, none of it is income until after your expenses are handled. All of the costs for editing software, recording equipment, shipping, and even video subject matter should be subtracted from the revenue to get your income is. These are business expenses, which don't even effect your standard deduction. If we assume your revenue is a conservative $108K a year ($4000+$2000 a month and lets just say that brand deals get your $3000 a month), then even if you counted that all as income, You pay 12% on the first $80,250 and then 22% on any amount over that. That's $14,900 before even the standard deduction. That's an effective tax rate of 14%. After that though, you have the self employment tax of a flat 15.3% for Social Security and Medicare.

I hope the switch works out well, would love to see the same content but with much less stress for you two. Y'all definitely deserve it with all the love and effort you put into the channel. Thanks for all the years of 10/10 video content, keeping my fingers crossed for SSFF having it's best year of all time in 2022! Happy holidays! 💜

I've decided to finally become a Patron for this channel just because I love your content and it has helped me so much during the last few years... I actually watched (listened) to the whole Xbox saga, and all the other videos while recovering from bariatric surgery in the hospital the last few days, and it really helped me lift up my spirits. So Merry Christmas Uncle Derek and Producer Grace! I'll be super glad to see my name on all SSFF videos in the future!

Your sheer willingness to stay positive and keep chugging along doing what you love always fills me with motivation and I'm so glad I've stuck along for the ride for a few years. Keep doing what you're doing and stay powerful! Can't wait to see whats next

I've been a huge fan since the early HVGN days, and became an even bigger fan during the Starship Amazing days. I'll love and support ya til' the end, Derek!

Super happy you guys are willing to take risks and change things up. I've been a proud patron for more than a year and I'm always amazed by the quality you guys bring. Hope you all have a great holiday and a great rest!

You guys have definitely become one of my favorite channels over this past year, I’ll definitely hop on the Patreon to help out!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays guys. Can't express how much I love this channel. Here's to an awesome 2022

Hope this means more wacky and weirdness! And honestly per month makes it a lot easier for me financially to where I’m now considering joining! Hope everything works out for the better with this change!

Congrats on the subs! I discovered your channel during the pandemic and it helped me get through the last year and a half. Thanks for all the fun content you've made and we are all looking forward to seeing more in 2022 and beyond!

Love the channel, it’s such a joy. I’ll have to hop on the Patreon! This seems like a very smart change. I appreciate y’all’s honesty!

Just signed up for your Patreon! Love this channel. Here's to continued success in 2022!

New Patreon Subscriber. My kids introduced me to you and I am more than happy to support you in entertaining us. Hope this new chapter works out and I personally do think it will.

We’ll all support whatever is best for you guys and I hope the Patrons keep flowing in for you!

I don’t even care about getting early videos I just want to help support you.. you clearly have more passion for this in your 14 years doing this than most with higher sub counts that take what they have for granted.

Absolutely love the content! Super glad your changing to more longer form videos as I have always though they have always been your best. I find that when a video is longer you get excited talking about the the details. Looking forwards to all your new videos!!

I am down to supporting you! keep up the work!!!!

You guys will be the first channel I’ve ever joined a patreon for and I couldn’t be happier doing it. Love you guys’ content and I’m hoping this resonates with the rest of the audience like it did me. Consider me a new patron!

I will support you and Grace however I can, all of your videos is just positive energy, and it helped me a lot when things were rough. Merry fishmas and (soon to be) happy new year!

One of the things that I always appreciate about your channel is that you both are always positive and uplifting. There are a lot of game-related RU-vid channels that are polarizing to various opposing groups and can be filled with contempt and condescending attitudes. I can always count on SSFF to put a smile on my face.

I've really been wanting to become a Patreon supporter for a while. This is one of my favorite RU-vid channels ever. I just love the positive attitude with which you approach every video. Celebrating the weird, pointless and bad things in life rather than focusing on anger is just one of those things that's really wholesome and enjoyable to watch. These positive vibes just make me excited for life, somehow. For all of those reasons, I've always wanted to be in the club of channel supporters. So far, I wasn't able to comfortably do it, but this month, I actually got a pay rise, and with you even restructuring your Patreon now, I figured what the hell, let's do this. I'm gload to finally be on board! 🙂

The transparency here is so refreshing from a youtuber to be honest. I think its always nice when a youtuber or businessman is honest about what money they are making because it can really illustrate what place they are in far better than just saying vague things is. Like. I totlaly understand why you would want to change now. And while i may not be able to help fund you guys. I will hopefully in the future. And i will always support you regardless

This is why I love RU-vid, I love the honesty and transparency. Thank you for being real with your fans. I'll continue to support you only because I love the content! Keep on keeping on and I wish all the luck to you and producer grace in the new year and onward!!🎊🎉

I cant believe this channel only has 300k.

Derek, what draws me back to your content time and time again is you and Grace. Your energy, your positivety and your quality. Even the old stuff from over a decade ago, it has your signature stamp on it. No matter what, you will have supporters and an audience. I hope this change brings you guys a big enough boom and you can get a larger audience, even if the boost isn't huge, aany boost is good. I can't wait to see what you guys drop in 2022, and I hope it's an amazing years for SSFF.

I've loved your channel for years now since you were the Happy video game nerd. I hope this all works out and you have an awesome 2022. Your videos make me happy too, it's always nice to see a new upload and hear "Hey i'm Derek, it's me Derek!".

Hi Derek it's you Derek! I am so excited to see what you achieve in 2022! Merry FIshmas and best of luck to you and Katie!

Found you when I was looking for PS1 Guncon videos, stayed for all the history and shenanigans. Just joined the patreon, wishing you guys the best!

Much love. Happy holidays. Thank you for hours of content. You guys are the best!

Any move that supports you and allows your creative output is positive and I hope things will not be to stressful during this transition. All the best and have a good break.

I just wanted to say thank you to you guys for all the awesome content you put out. These are some of my favorite videos on ol' RU-vid. Happy holidays, you guys!

Geez, Grace cracking up in the background will never not be funny for me 😂

I use to watch this channel sorta casually, but its becoming a watch every new video no matter what it’s about sort of channel for me. So you’re definitely getting my support!

KEEP GOING UNCLE DERRICK, PRODUCER GRACE, AND THE WHOLE SSFF TEAM!!! You guys are awesome and a providing factor to my continued sanity. Looking forward to what's next to come!!

Hey man, whatever format the show takes in the future I'll be here to watch it. And at the end of the day, I'm just happy to see you guys doing well and being able to support yourself.

You're good humans! Here's to more success in the future! 👍

Long time first time: Hopped on that patreon half way through the video. I may not be able to hold on to that sub for the whole year, but I can absolutely tag along during these first rough months to help cushion where I can.

Happy Festivus for the rest of us! Stay Fantastic Uncle Derek! we are here to keep watching your awesome content!

Been watching Uncle Derek for years, I appreciate you had the courage to come out and really explain it. That level of honesty and respect is something in small numbers these days. Moments like this should be celebrated, so for the first time ever I will sign up to Patreon for you guys. You deserve it, keep up the good work.

Joined up on the Patreon, I have followed this channel since HVGN, I was a kid when I started watching, I bought Ruby Dagger on CD and you have provided phenomenal stuff every year the least I can do is pay it forward now that I am an adult with a job. Keep killing it Uncle Derek and Producer Grace

Love your content dude and will keep supporting you for a long time to come, because I think you are worth it! (and when I say you I of course mean in plural) There are plenty of content creators I have supported over the years, but that I have pulled the plug on after months, because I felt they weren't delivering. But you guys are one of my favorite content creators, and like many have already said, you keep me sane, so anything I can do to help and give back, I'll be happy to! Here's to a great new year, and hoping your channel and patreon grows even more!

I agree that I think, long-term, this is going to be a good change for you. Not only will it take some pressure off, but there's also the fact that, frankly, a lot of folks will be more willing to join the Patreon I'd imagine at a consistent monthly cost. I know I, for one, am not part of any Patreons that charge based on amount of work done in a month, specifically because I can't risk that fluctuation in my budget.

Even though I'm not able to become a patron, I'm happy to see other people are and they did become your patrons. I went to your Patreon page and I'm happy for you.

Love ya'll's content so much, can't wait for more from you guys. Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Thanks for being so transparent with the finances. And just genuine in general. I never realized how low RU-vid payouts were. Especially when you consider how much more aggressive their ads have become. I will be joining the Patreon. Here is to making the 3000 goal!

I will forever hold a place for this channel in my heart. I hope things go well

This is of my favorite channels, especially the long videos. Hope everything goes well, I'm looking forward to seeing y'all grow

Sounds like great news! You're doing good job, Derek and Grace. Merry Fishmas and happy holidays!

I've been watching since HVG. I mean this from the bottom of my heart: you guys are the absolute best. This channel completely changed how i looked at media. I hope that you only continue to evolve and grow. You both deserve every bit of praise.

Remember watching your videos when they were uploaded on GameTrailers (or was it ScrewAttack?), when your were HVGN, and just wanted to say have absolutely loved everything under the SSFF banner; keep up the excellent work! Hopefully the change works out for you!

Been following your work since the HVGN days. We lived in Alaska at the same time, and I remember you even replied to one of my fan emails. You're a cool dude, and I love your content. I'm super proud to be a Patreon backer!

The videos on this channel have been bangers lately. 300,000 subs seems small considering how great the content has been. I hope everything works out and is sustainable

i love the energy of this channel and the topics you cover, how you cover them, etc. do you . stay comfy this season, mate.

I just subscribed the other day though I've seen a lot of videos in the last few years. Few things I would like to say if I may; Personally, I enjoy both the shorter 'dumb' videos and also the newer long videos. Both styles are rad for a specific reason, I think you pull it off well. You asked "Maybe I earned your trust?" You've certainly earned a good deal of my trust. Of course, I don't know you personally face to face however, you always come across as genuine. I know a lot of youtubers put on that 'show' face but I don't see much of that in you. I'd for sure drink a beer with you even if I didn't know who you are just from your character alone. How you carry and present yourself. You seem like a cool dude. I'm honestly glad you have that passion and desire. I know it's hard not to get burned out after a while, and maybe you've felt that. Idk. I'm sincerely glad to hear you and Grace will still be grinding out new projects with determination and not obligation. Maybe you read this, maybe you don't. Either way, take it easy man.

And can I say that I've always appreciated the transparency with you guys as well, it's a rare and interesting look into the process.

Wishing you guys all the best now and into the new year!

Just signed up to Patreon! Thanks Derek and Grace for kicking ass!

Discovered your channel in the beginning of the year and had so much fun binge watching the punching weights, the post mortem are amazing stuff, willing to see those zeebo videos. Unfortunately can't support cause the dollar here in Brazil is very high, but will continue to share and watch. Thanks derek, grace and all the team for the amazing work.

Derek, I’ve only been watching you for a couple of weeks now, found you mostly because of Matt McMuscles but I can already tell you you’re one of my favorite content creators, I and a lot of other people are excited for the changes and just excited all around for you guys to do what you do best, you’re the 2nd Patreon I’ve ever subscribed to and I’m really proud of that! Much love

Derek, you and grace are absolutley amazing, and i believe that you guys will see one million subs in no time. Also, everyone deserves to take a break, so go and be with your family and enjoy yourselves this season, because as hard as you guys work, you deserve it tenfold.

It's crazy to see the amount of progress you've made, lophatjelo

I really appreciate this level of transparency. I feel like so many channels are afraid to talk about specific income and revenue but it really helps contextualize the income problems and continued impacts of the adpocalypse. You're absolutely right, you can't live on that paltry income while also supporting and growing the channel and your livelihood. Makes it so much easier to connect with you on a personal level and make an informed decision on helping.

I really appreciate your transparency and being willing to take this risk. As someone who hasn't subscribed to a Patreon in a very long time, I like the monthly model a lot more. Being able to pay X amount up front for a year is a lot easier than seeing that come out each month. Consider me officially a backer!

Congratulations on 300,000 subscribers!

Derek and Grace, you guys are the best. Keep pumping out the quality content, and while I can't speak for anyone else, I will continue to support you guys. Thanks for all the years of content!