Hustles & Crisps: My Life Between TikToks and Trying to Pay Rent (Series)

My Forex Chart Analyzer Nearly Sent Me to the ER

 Part 3

“Build what you’ll use,” they said. So I did. Now I’m just wondering if I need therapy.” 

The Dream

Let’s rewind a sec.
You know that classic tech advice:
 

"Scratch your own itch. Build for yourself."

Honestly, after years of trading Forex, I figured out my real opponent isn’t the market—it’s me. One day I’m cool as ice, next day I’m yelling at my screen because a candle faked me out like a bad prank.

So, I thought, why not whip up something to take the emotions out of it? Just a chill little Expert Advisor (EA) to scan the chart, highlight trends, flag entries, and lay out take profits—like a buddy who never panics.

Sounds simple, right?

--- 

The Build

I called it ChartAnalyser (hey, at least it’s honest), and my big ideas were:

* Entry alerts, win-rate right there on the chart
* Buy/Sell lines so clear even I can’t mess them up
* Stop loss and take profit markers
* Oh, and reminders for missed trades—because apparently I like to torture myself

I went deep. Days and nights blurred together. At some point, I think I forgot what food was.

After weeks of tinkering, arguing with MT5, and running on pure caffeine—suddenly, it worked.

And for a few sweet hours, I felt like a wizard.

--- 

The Fall

And then—here comes The Trade.

The bot flashes: EURUSD long. Reversal confirmed. Structure broken. Signal’s looking pretty.
 

 “BUY with 78% win rate,” it says, all confident.

So I hit buy.

And… instead of going up, it just dips. And dips. And dips some more.

By the time the third candle dropped, I was sweating bullets. Staring at the screen, trying to Jedi-mind-trick the market. Meanwhile, the bot?

Chill as ever:

 “Hold.”

HOLD? Seriously?
It’s been 14 hours, I’m 42 pips down, and I’m about ready to throw my laptop out the window.

--- 

The Comeback

Then—out of nowhere—the market flips.
Shoots straight up.
Take profit hit. Big green line across my chart like a pat on the back from the universe.

I just leaned back, kind of dazed, but honestly… pretty relieved.

--- 

The Lesson

Building this thing taught me something I didn’t expect:
Turns out, I trust my own panic more than my bot’s logic.
Even with solid data, I’m still hovering over the Close button like it’s a game show buzzer.

The EA wasn’t the weak link.
I was.

All this fancy tech to kill emotions, and I’m still the emotional one in the room.

--- 

So, Was It Worth It?

Oh, 100%.
Here’s what I got:

✅ Front-row seat to my own impulsiveness
✅ Way more respect for rules-based trading
✅ A working EA—even though my laptop sounds like a blender
✅ Proof that I can build cool stuff, even on sketchy Wi-Fi

--- 

What I’d Change If I Could

* Add a panic override button (for me, not the bot)
* Alerts when drawdown gets wild, just to calm me down
* Built-in journaling, because let’s be real, I’ll never do it otherwise
* Maybe a feature where the bot ignores me if I try to mess with a trade mid-run

--- 

If You’re a Trader, Listen Up:

You can’t erase emotions. But you can build stuff to keep your head on straight—even when your instincts are screaming “RUN!”

Trust your data. Or don’t. But if you build your own tools, be ready to get humbled.

Because this bot?
It didn’t just read charts.

It read me.

--- 

Next Week:

Either I’m making a broke-friendly AI content app for African creators, or I’m taking up gardening. Depends how fried my brain gets. 

Clicks, Hustles & Crisps: My Life Between TikToks and Trying to Pay Rent (Series)

How My Son’s Kindergarten Lunch Box Made Me Rethink My Whole Hustle 

PART 2

“It’s just lunch.” That’s what I mumbled at 6:12 AM, half awake, half functioning. Then I saw his little face and, man, everything changed. 

 

Alright, so, set the scene: Wednesday morning in Botswana. The house is kind of stirring, kettle’s doing its thing (maybe?), and I’m stumbling around in an ancient T-shirt that’s basically begging for retirement. My phone lights up—yep, TikTok wants me to spiral down the rabbit hole. I almost give in.

But nope. Not today. I’m focused, people. It’s my son’s first week at kindergarten, and guess who’s in charge of his lunch? This guy.

*cracks knuckles all dramatic* Time to deliver.

---

 The Lunchbox Game Plan

What’s on the menu? Only the finest:

- Leftover rice (if it doesn’t smell funky, it’s good to go, right?)
- Vienna sausages, cut diagonally—because, obviously, he’s fancy
- Boxed apple juice (we pretend it’s healthy)
- Banana (a little bruised, but hey, that’s extra flavor)

I seal up the box, feeling like the proudest dad on the block. My kid’s gonna open this thing and think, “Wow. Dad’s a legend.”

Yeah, keep dreaming.

---

 That Look, Though

So after school, I’m pumped. Time for my lunchbox victory lap. But I open it and… everything’s still there. Like, untouched. Not even a suspicious nibble.

I look at my son, and he just shrugs, totally unbothered.

> “I told you I don’t like rice with sausage. I like sandwiches. Like my friends.”

Oof. That one hit harder than my morning coffee. My “Dad of the Year” trophy? Instantly imaginary.

---

 It Was Never About the Sandwich

Let’s be honest: it’s not about the sandwich. It’s about being the kind of dad he actually needs.

Between hustling for cash online, making goofy TikToks, chasing affiliate links, and pretending I understand AI, I totally missed the memo on what my son really wanted. Apparently, I’m supposed to be a lunch whisperer now, too.

None of my online “success” mattered in that kitchen. My boy just wanted a lunch that made him feel seen, like he belonged. And, yeah, I missed that. Big time.

---

Fatherhood: Not a One-Click Upgrade

Here’s the secret those “get rich before 30” gurus won’t tell you: sometimes, the best thing you can give your kid is just being there. Not some passive income stream or viral meme.

I was so busy ticking boxes and hustling for the future, I forgot to check in with the present. To him, that lunchbox wasn’t just food—it was proof I’d been thinking about him.

---

 The Comeback

So, the next day? I went classic: sandwich, peanut butter, basic bread. No wild experiments, no bananas in sight.

He comes home, lunchbox empty, grinning.
 

 “That was perfect. Thanks, Papa.”

Look, I’ve never made a cent online that felt as good as that.

---

Stuff That Actually Matters

- Hustle hard, but don’t forget who you’re hustling for.
- Kids? Brutally honest. Get ready for it.
- Chasing dreams is cool, but remember to ask, “What makes you feel loved?”
- Not all rewards are cash. Sometimes it’s a happy kid and a sticky juice box.

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 Next Week:

Tried out AI for Forex trading. Spoiler alert: The bot almost broke me—and my sleep. That story’s coming up.