Well, heres my tuppence for what its worth.
I bought in to 02FO and was quite encouraged...initially. I don't think - actually I KNOW that theres nothing 'of subtance' in the manual that Clive Hughes doesn't deal with and then some. 02FO is really more focussed on the psychology of succeeding and the 'power' of goal setting. This is fair enough and I did learn something new from the manual - the author also has a good writing style so its easy reading. Its not all bad news.
However, the web site for members has ceased to be updated (this happened quite a while ago actually). This is a shame as at first it was very useful. In fact, last time I did look at the update the 'captain' was volunteering to arrange hour building buddies for members. This is nothing that couldn't happen on Pprune but I thought the sentiment showed some sincerity behind the whole operation.
On to the other stuff.....
I don't want to work for other people from the rest of my life. I quite like the idea of being fairly comfortable, getting up in the morning, taking the Pitts Special up for an hour and then going to play golf before coming home for a swim etc etc. Yeah right, wake up ! But, an important thing to remember is that it is a FACT that that kind of fantasy is a reality for some - albeit a very small minority. And no I don't know anybody with that kind of lifestyle -depite being a master global criminal tyrant.
So, in other words, I'm not averse to finding out about any methods which may help me become financially independent, even though I admit the above fantasy isn't going to happen. (At this point author would say something like, "No Dr-Evil, you will never have that because you believe that you will not have it - you have been conditioned by a society designed by the super rich to preserve their interests and wealth. You must believe that you can do it!")
In short, I bought the betting course thing. I have learned an awful lot, lost a bit of money but if truth be told - I think it actually has substance. Be careful though, the course isn't all its cracked up to be and some of the advice is very very bad stuff. What the ads DON'T tell you is that you need to be in a position where you can afford to lose £5200 in order to make the famously quoted £12 per year. If you don't have that money to begin with, there is advice on how to get it. I don't need to type any more do I ? I think you all get the gist. Needless to say, I didn't have that kind of money and I gave the other methods a shot. I came out of the whole experience a couple of hundred £ down but with a lot learned.
It was about the time I started getting mailed with ads for the '5 Secrets' I started to get properly twitchy. Myself and another long forgotten Ppruner decided to check it out and managed to get all the bumpf between us before deciding that all it was actually telling us was that;
a) the rich get richer because they know stuff everyone else doesn't.
b) just because everyone tells you you're stupid for trying - it doesn't mean you are (its easy to take the pi$$ but then - if you don't take risks, you'll never reap the rewards)
c) you need a few grand capital to realistically start doing anything - and then there's a good chance you'll lose it.
So again - some good stuff but nothing a self help book, g.c.s.e. sociology & psychology and a bit of common sense won't teach you.
I've not parted with any more cash since and I'm a bit hacked off at some of the mail that I get that I never used to before I encountered 02FO. There is money to be made selling the contact details of those susceptible to certain types of publication to other 'businesses'. Not once during my involvement with 02FO have I had the opporutnity to 'opt out' of Direct Marketing - this is a bit naughty.
So, in the meantime, no doubt my old address is still getting mailed with 'Fleet Street Updates' from Lord Rees-Mogg !!! I never signed up for that !
I hope some of you find the above useful/interesting. 02FO is an interesting read but buy Clive Hughes if you know what you want but you just don't know the details.
Don't go near the Racing School course unless you're prepared to risk £5200. I'd recommend not buying the other stuff. You can get just as far by having a few grand to risk and buying a book on 'Contrarianism' - thats all it really talks about.
The author is an expert at filling out a few useful insights in to some very long courses - each could easily be compressed in to a quarter of their size.
Next please..............