I didn't plan this, I never tell anyone I'm looking for work, I don't update linked-in with a status. But it's been so long now, I don't think I could ever work a "real" job ever again. I've now been on my own; consulting longer than my software engineering career out of university.
When I quit that job in 2011, I only had $16k in my checking account. I figured if I had to I'd cash out the 401k from a previous job. I don't have family, put myself through university working a 3rd shift factory job, and still graduated with $40k in debt, in 1999. So to anyone thinking, must be easy when you have a safety net, couldn't be further from the truth. The manager at that last job was so incompetent she was throwing engineers under the bus left and right for her mistakes, I left before I was next.
Quitting that job in 2011 was the best decision I ever made. I know most people can't stand the stress of not having a steady paycheck. I couldn't care less, being free of being an employee was worth it to me. Salaried jobs are no more guaranteed anyway, it's a false sense of security. Since then, I bought and paid off a house in 4 years, paid for SUV. Bought tons of equipment, office furniture, books, computers etc. Over 5 years of living expenses saved now. I'm thinking of pivoting to creating a website, making youtube videos and maybe writing some books. The youtube channel will focus on science experiments; a different approach to learning. Trying to wind down a client I've been working with for 2 years now so I can move on. The last thing I'd do is cover software though, always hated it, just a means to an end, and I'm so good at it I make more in 1 day than most people make in 2 weeks. But money isn't everything, once you have "enough", and you keep your expenses low, you can be truly free...
' Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.' -- Robert Frost