I've been self employed and borderline broke but reasonably happy for the past 20 years. I'd take the nicest days off for myself, would take family event time as needed, and set my own schedule and type of work I'd accept. I finally gave it up to be a responsible, reliable, full time plus kind of employee...doing what needs doing, and collecting a fair wage...in order to be sure we can give our son a good chance at a great school.

I have 4 trades that I am equally qualified in, but IT pays the best of them.

I'm too old to do the low wage thing for long, so I hope IT is going to pull through for me.