I fall into that category. Quite the risk though and I wouldn’t do it again–I’m the first to admit there was a lot of luck involved. Ironically it was this website that helped me pay off the debt I incurred getting out here and setting me up to make the decisions to succeed in the future. Definitely would be more planning and substantial savings involved were I to see the need to up-and-move again.

But they were definitely worried about the decision! My dad was a bit of a “naysayer,” I guess, but I actually appreciated it, because it came from a good place. He was just worried about me

I have a relative who never takes risks and always flies below the radar, so to speak. I have internalized a lot of that, and it’s only in the last few years where I’ve said “OK, I have to break the mold.” It’s SO hard to walk away, and it’s so hard to do something that’s different than what everyone else has been doing for years. But sometimes, you gotta do what you want to do.

No one more than family can make you feel small, stupid and like you’re making the worst decision since Bush invaded Iraq. Often their way is the only way to live and pursuing anything that breaks away from the cult family is akin to flushing your life down the toilet.

There is a reason why I moved 700+ miles away from the “compound”.

Sometimes “ditching” naysayers means ditching family. The key is to do it so that you do not become completely estranged from them.

I had a couple of friends who did web design, and they sometimes ran into clients who needed copy, so a few gigs were from that. I made sure to let friends know I was looking for work, and–thank goodness for them–they were very helpful!

Oh, I also found one job on a blogging board, and there’s a helpful newsletter that compiles freelance gigs from the web. If you email me, I’ll send you the links

Seriously, though, after you cut ties, you have to forgive and forget and move on. Dwelling on ‘em is just as bad as keeping them around! (I say that after I complain–ha!)

Keep up the hard work TB!

Yeah but sometimes you can’t afford to turn down lower-paying offers.

Even if you can, you are just sitting on all those “empty” hours and you’re not doing work. You can miss a whole lot of twenties while you’re waiting for that one gig that pays a hundred.

I find it very clever on your part that you took the photo-clipping job. It really is a great way to let your brain shut down, go on autopilot, and maybe wander away and find new ideas on its own without you pushing it.

I also find it very clever of you to get away from naysayers.

There is a popular story about a dozen frogs attempting to climb a mountain. Those frogs who were scared to even try sat at the bottom of the mountain and while the other frogs jumped higher and higher, they kept yelling “Come back, it can’t be done, you are just FROGS!”

One by one the frogs eventually gave in to doubt. But still there was this one frog who kept going despite all the others yelling “It can’t be done, you are just a FROG!”

That one froggy reached the top

Turned out it was deaf.

But I do see your point. And I love Frasier.

I transitioned into the switch to prevent the dwindling savings problem. Doing that basically stretched out the duration of my emergency fund, too. The idea is to be as prepared as possible for the “emergency” so that you don’t have to dip into it. Ever.

But for what you’re asking–if I DID find myself in “emergency mode,” personally, I would’ve started to get nervous if I paid for two subsequent months’ rent/expenses from my emergency fund with no other source of income. So I guess, if I couldn’t find any sort of work and was dipping into my emergency fund for all of my expenses, I would’ve probably started to seriously devise a “give up” plan after seeing that I had only 4 months left of savings. If I couldn’t find ANY sort of work in LA after 2 months, I would’ve probably moved back.

But again, my idea was to have a few side jobs in addition to one main source of income to prevent dipping as much as possible. Originally, before my boss let me continue working for her, I planned on working at Trader Joe’s or some sort of retail job if I couldn’t find work in my field. (I even made a contact at Trader Joe’s just in case!)

I also started freelancing about two years ago. It was more a way for me to stay home with the kids while earning (much-needed) extra money. Gradually, I started attracting bigger clients and turned it around for the better. After taxes, I am actually bringing home more now than I did at my office job – my previous salary basically paid for daycare.

Like you, I’ve had to take on projects that weren’t my favorite topics – but it helped broaden my horizons while making me more marketable.

I think you briefly touched on this, but I feel it needs to be repeated: Ease into freelancing, if possible. Some people can’t stomach reminding clients to pay them, for instance, so you need to see if this aspect of freelancing is something you can do.

Great article.