"I Quit" 1 Year anniversary • Hacker News Board

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#41

Post by patio11 » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 2:57 AM UTC

sofal wrote: post #40

jacoblyles wrote: post #36

The more I read these stories, the more I appreciate the patio11 approach.

I just keep thinking to myself, "here I am working so hard at improving my programming abilities so that I can create more ambitious applications, and this guy is making a small fortune selling a freakin' Bingo card maker."

Its more of a small fortune cookie than a small fortune. Maybe something along the lines of "90% of the important stuff happens outside of the IDE."

On the plus side, it proves what you want to do is achievable, right? Make program, improve lives of customers, get paid for it.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#42

Post by jacoblyles » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 4:02 AM UTC

patio11 wrote: post #41

sofal wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just keep thinking to myself, "here I am working so hard at improving my programming abilities so that I can create more ambitious applications, and this guy is making a small fortune selling a freakin' Bingo card maker."

Its more of a small fortune cookie than a small fortune. Maybe something along the lines of "90% of the important stuff happens outside of the IDE." On the plus side, it proves what you want to do is achievable, right? Make program, improve lives of customers, get paid for it.

I really appreciate your contributions to this site. Your experience is outside the norm and you put forth the effort to share it. That's valuable.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#43

Post by pasbesoin » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 5:39 AM UTC

PonyGumbo wrote: post #21

I've just passed my five year anniversary. I would do it again, but the financial instability is still extremely stressful, particularly as I enter my mid-thirties. It's always feast or famine. My observations: 1. Pay off debt as quickly as you can. When you're broke again, you'll be grateful you did. 2. Never put all of your eggs in one basket. When you only have one or two major sources of revenue (or clients), you…

To follow on to 5), health insurance isn't just about you. It's about those who care about you. Helping to ensure they are not placed in a financial bind caring for you should something serious or catastrophic occur. Most likely, there are people in your life who would feel compelled to help you, even if it is a severe strain for them.

And as someone else commented on another thread here, in the last month or two: An insurance company will likely negotiate much lower charges that you can get as a private individual (in the U.S., at least). Even if you are left with part of the bill to pay, that bill is likely to be significantly smaller than it would have been were you uninsured.

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#44

Post by msb » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 6:05 AM UTC

raffi wrote: post #7

Congrats on making it this far. Maybe we should start a meetup or support group for hackers who quit their jobs to find their entrepreneurial selves. I just had my one year anniversary six days ago. Oh how time flies. I left the military to venture out on my own, finish graduate school, and see what happened. I'd love to tell the rest of the story but I have to go catch a train. If you get a chance, consider writing…

I just passed my 7th year of self-employment and have been through many ups and downs. I have learned a lot but still have a lot of questions. I don't comment much on HN, but I respect and trust this community quite a bit. I think a support group is a great idea. Anyone else?

Re: "I Quit" 1 Year anniversary

#45

Post by shiranaihito » Tue, Mar 10, 2009, 10:12 AM UTC

eibrahim wrote: post #3

Brushfire wrote: post #2

Overall, I am glad I quit my job. Other than the fact that I am broke, I learned and accomplished a lot and ready to take Yonkly to the next level. Personally, I think this is awesome, but it also should serve as a warning to those that are afraid of financial troubles. Most people who go this route truly do have to risk it all, so if you arent ready for that you should find a way to transition. For me -- living on t…

I agree. It is very risky. When I made that decision, I basically told myself "what is the worst that could happen?" The answer was "lose my house and rental properties, declare bankruptcy, screw up my credit score". Then I thought "that's not too bad." I graduated in 1999 with zero money and got to where I am, so I can probably do it again in half the time.

I'm confused..

You're broke, but have "two rental properties and a condo"? It sounds like you have room for lowering your expenses.