Quitting your job success stories?

Ashort wrote: If you think you will work less than 40 hours/week owning your own business/being an entrepreneur you are mistaken. I got out of my field for almost 2 years. It was slightly difficult to get back in the door, but if you know people in your industry it isn't too hard. Generally my industry looks down on people that take extended time off. Lame, i know.

I don't know a business owner/entrepreneur who DOESN'T work more than 40 hours a week.

I'd think long and hard before going that route.

JeffL wrote:About two years ago I started my career in a specialized field, my bachelor's degree is very specialized and the job is mostly easy. The money is good, but I value my time much. I know money doesn't equal happiness

Anyone tells you money doesn't equal happiness can come look at the smile on my face! Ear to ear baby! Anyone tells you money is the root of all evil doesn't fucking have any.

Jeff I hate to tell you but you're aspiring to be at the top 1% of the population. Small business owners and or entrepreneurs do have plenty of time but only after they're established their business or investments. Most guys including myself worked crazy long hours before they could play golf three weeks during the week. You prepared for that? You will also be spending retirement funds on vacations. What's the wife or girlfriend going to say about that? Your parents won't be thrilled either.

To start a business you're going to need money, good credit or a business model with high profit. What's your credit score? You got any loot? Do you realize that if your business flops you're on the hook for the money? Don't worry there's always bankrupty! Start something you know. Don't go into HVAC or flip houses if you're a Psych major.

Good luck and welcome to the dark side.

Who Dat wrote: I don't know a business owner/entrepreneur who DOESN'T work more than 40 hours a week. I'd think long and hard before going that route.

Hi Who Dat my name is Bill Kirby. It's nice to meet you.

Now you know someone who doesn't work 40 hours/week that owns a business.

Bill Kirby wrote: Hi Who Dat my name is Bill Kirby. It's nice to meet you. Now you know someone who doesn't work 40 hours/week that owns a business.

Congratulations. However, at this point you are still outnumbered.

Mind sharing what business you're in? Just curious.

Bill Kirby wrote: Anyone tells you money doesn't equal happiness can come look at the smile on my face! Ear to ear baby! Anyone tells you money is the root of all evil doesn't fucking have any.

I like!

"Money can't buy happiness, but it sure helps." (author unknown)

"I've been rich and I've been poor, and believe me, rich is better" (Milton Berle)

Dude, just save like a mofo and invest. Never take on debt and depending on how much you make and how much you save you can live off interest and dividends.

You need to be super disciplined to do this, but possible.

FrankPS wrote: I like! "Money can't buy happiness, but it sure helps." (author unknown) "I've been rich and I've been poor, and believe me, rich is better" (Milton Berle)

No shit?

You're 26? A baby!

You have AT LEAST four or five years before your dating pool starts freaking out about the biological clock.

Being a climbing bum is actually attractive to women your age. Mid 30's less so.

Just have fun.

I dropped out of teaching to climb more. It is mixed bag, but I can't say I regret it. I can't honestly say I climb too much more than I did as a dedicated weekend warrior, but it has taken the hassle out of climbing, which for me is really important.

I saved up a substantial cushion, quit and spent six months on the road climbing. I ended my trip when I wanted to. It was a neccessary soul fulfilling experience but I missed having a place to go home to, unwind, shower and get out of the elements. I decided that a home near many crags was just what I wanted. I miss the road sometimes but I always remember missing having a place of my own.

My ideal schedule would be 4 days on and three off but in my industry it is not usual. I did find a job in my field that I enjoy though and am overall satisfied.

40 hours? I wish I could work only that amount every week!

FrankPS wrote:This reads like a "I'd rather be playing than working" post. Unless your job is extremely satisfying, most people would rather be playing. Don't give up a good job just because you want to have fun instead. Sure, you'll get a lot of people telling you how they never made a better decision than to lead the dirtbag life, but do you really want to scrounge and scrimp all the time? I worked for many years at a good-paying, semi-interesting, job which allowed me to keep a decent standard of living, to afford regular vacation trips and buy gear whenever I needed it. Far from a dream job, but it kept me self-supporting and not for want. Many people dream of "I wish I didn't have to work," but most plug away at their jobs because it keeps food on the table (and gear on the rack). I'd only quit a decent job if I had a better one lined up (or was financially secure enough that I didn't need to work).

I travel four days a week and work close to 18 hour days. I still make time for education, kids, family, and climbing. I frequently field work-calls and email while climbing. This thread reminds me what the distribution of the labor force looks like on the left side of the scale.

You can get in tons of climbing if only working 40 hours a week (esp. since you live in SLC). Live like a starving college student, even though you have a good job. Don't buy an expensive car. Save your money, and invest it wisely.
I "made my break" when in my thirties. My friends that did so were in their 40's or 50's. Many of us were working about 50 hrs a week, saving every penny while doing so, and climbing in all the spare time we had.

Long Duk Dong wrote:Phil, It would take real courage to quit climbing, your cliché, and expand your own consciousness. How strong is your spiritual practice? The truth is: you don't have a life, you are life. The One Life, the one consciousness that pervades the entire universe and takes temporary form to experience itself as a stone or blade of grass, as an animal, a person, a star or a galaxy.

Finally. Someone understands me. Are you single?

Who Dat wrote: Congratulations. However, at this point you are still outnumbered. Mind sharing what business you're in? Just curious.

He is in the business of telling everyone he is loaded and doesn't work duh!

Bill Kirby wrote: Anyone tells you money doesn't equal happiness can come look at the smile on my face! Ear to ear baby! Anyone tells you money is the root of all evil doesn't fucking have any. Jeff I hate to tell you but you're aspiring to be at the top 1% of the population. Small business owners and or entrepreneurs do have plenty of time but only after they're established their business or investments. Most guys including myself worked crazy long hours before they could play golf three weeks during the week. You prepared for that? You will also be spending retirement funds on vacations. What's the wife or girlfriend going to say about that? Your parents won't be thrilled either. To start a business you're going to need money, good credit or a business model with high profit. What's your credit score? You got any loot? Do you realize that if your business flops you're on the hook for the money? Don't worry there's always bankrupty! Start something you know. Don't go into HVAC or flip houses if you're a Psych major. Good luck and welcome to the dark side.

I like the cut of your jib.

Jeff,

Do you have an idea of what type of business you are going to start? There are plenty of jobs/trades that allow you to freelance (design, programming, seo) and would afford quiet a nice paycheck.

I left a full time design job and started doing rope access because I figured it would resemble climbing and being outside more than sitting at a desk. I get lots of time off (3 months last year)and make much better Money than I did as a designer. I however am gone for weeks at a time & I work whenever I can to better my future in the business. I don't think I will do it forever. I also aspire to start my own company. Main difference between us is I have a hefty student loan bill to pay.

I would say it really depends on business you wan to start & if you have any backup if business & dirtbag dreams fail.

Who Dat wrote: Congratulations. However, at this point you are still outnumbered. Mind sharing what business you're in? Just curious.

Yea I mentioned the number in my post. I believe I said outnumbered 99 to 1.

Concrete restoration and waterproofing, directional boring and flip houses. I also pretend I'm an institutional investor from time to time. I invested my life savings into the stock market October 2008 after a friend told me and I quote "gimme all your money!"

JeffL- Up until now what is the longest climbing trip you've ever taken? Where was it? Where do you want to go IF you quit your job? Are you going to take baby steps or take off running? How many fixed expenses do you currently have ( phone bill, car/health insurance, car payment, rent, dog, etc.)? How many fixed expenses can you do away with?

These questions are all ones I asked myself before my first BIG dip into dirtbagging. It seems like you need to figure a few things out in this preliminary stage. Any of our success stories aren't going to help you very much when you're flying solo a month into your dirtbaggary as you wander trying to find free camping close to climbing... not to mention close to skiing. Do you operate well solo? I've found that unless you've got some like minded friends/SO you may be spending A LOT of time solo, which isn't always a bad thing if you can roll that way.

As a constant gypster of the dirtbag variety I can offer a few helpful tips.

Seasonal work- pay is shitty but you usually get some form of room and board plus a season end bonus. coolworks.com ( bonus points for seasonal work at a ski lodge beacause you normally get 3 squares, room+board, and a free ski pass)

Trim work- Get to NorCal by October and post up in plain sight with a pair of fiskars/tic-tics in hand. Or head to Colorado like the other 250,000+ people, get a CO drivers license, red card, and key badge( cali trimming is more seasonal).

Sublet Salary- Sublet your current living area at slightly more than you pay. It works if you have the right spot and can pad your pockets. Bonus, you always have a place waiting for you.

Pimp Yo Ride- If you're gonna do it, do it right. This means being able to sleep in your whip(hopefully paid off) at anytime at any place. I cut a tempurpedic mattress to fit in the back of my Subaru. Get a roof rack. Why? Because you can lock that shit up and leave valuables out of plain sight, plus it can store your gear making your whip/ home more roomy.

There you are mate FWIW I used to worry about what my parents were thinking when I would go "climbing" for six months on end with no visible income. I eventually told them about my work on farms in Cali, later in CO and they were relieved to find out I was actually making money. You can do pretty much anything right now but don't listen to anyone but yourself.
-Dono

Bill Kirby wrote: Yea I mentioned the number in my post. I believe I said outnumbered 99 to 1. Concrete restoration and waterproofing, directional boring and flip houses. I also pretend I'm an institutional investor from time to time. I invested my life savings into the stock market October 2008 after a friend told me and I quote "gimme all your money!"

Oh I didn't see the numbers reference. Sound like your choices worked out well.

Who Dat wrote: Oh I didn't see the numbers reference. Sound like your choices worked out well.

Crazy right? I mean who's got a good story involving listening to their friends. I understood the basics of stock markets but couldn't answer questions about shorting or what PE means. Now I'm the guy who won the first time to Vegas and thinks he's a pro.

For every good decision there's two bad ones. I've lost friendships the worst being my best friend, Mike. I've tactically nuked bridges when I should've used C4 or dynamite. The lifestyle is fun but like everything.. It has its downside.