So, August 2014 I quit working in the classic toxic office environment per recommendations on this forum. I was making about $40k a year; $10k from my side business/$30k from crappy job... and over the course of six years managed to invest about $120k in S&P type stocks. The thought was that I could work part time doing IT/computer/network consulting and just enjoy life and lay back, with expenses of about $1,000 a month, $500 a month in cash flow from investments, and part time computer work covering the rest.
Fast forward two years. IT business grew from a side business into a $11,000 a MONTH revenue monster. I'm working 15 hours a day on the stuff now, and am thinking about hiring my first employees and building the company. Thanks to you guys expenses are still low, about $1,200 a month.
It's ALWAYS better to give up the toxic money and do what you love even if you are cutting your income. The first year out things were slow and actually cooled off for 5 months, but you inevitably network with the right people and and opportunities open up that would not have otherwise been possible. Worst-case? You're "FIREd" and can live a minimalist life. Best-case, you end up making way more doing something that's enjoyable.
