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Off-topic, but I've been thinking about doing my own sabbatical in order to focus on my own projects and hopefully start a business. Can you share anything abo

Off-topic, but I've been thinking about doing my own sabbatical in order to focus on my own projects and hopefully start a business. Can you share anything about what you did to get started? How much money you had saved? How did you adjust your life?

whataretensors 9y ago
Not OP, but I did this and it really depends on what you want. I had some success, then got obsessed with AI. After 1-2 years studying nonstop figuring out what to build I ran out of money and had to consult. I would have made more money working full time... but perhaps not if my next project goes well. That said, even with what I know now, I'm about to do it all again. The freedom is priceless. Risk is scary. But going 9-5 to a job hoping for raises, good bosses, and stock liquidation events is even scarier IMO.
tastyface 9y ago
My main adjustment was to (mentally) let go of all my inessential belongings. Pretty much all my important things now fit in a small, maximum-legal-carryon-sized suitcase, along with a small backpack and the stuff that I wear on my body. This lets me live and travel loosely, whether hopping between Airbnbs in Europe or lucking into enticing month-long sublets back home in SF. If I get tired of my surroundings, I can pick up my life and move somewhere else in the course of a day. It's extremely liberating, both physically and mentally. (Of course, this presupposes that you don't have an SO or dependents.) It took me a while to figure out my optimal "toolkit". Productivity-wise, my essentials are a Roost dock, Logitech wireless keyboard, and Logitech wireless gaming mouse. Working from cafés is really great now. (And my shoulder pain is gone!) Productive travel advice: don't do hostels. Airbnbs are awesome, but only pick ones with private rooms that have a nice desk and chair. It's way more convenient than spending extra money on a coworking space (unless that's your thing). If you're planning to actually get work done, stay in a given city for at least two weeks, and preferably more than a month. Traveling to a new city always takes some adjustment. I started with $100,000, but that's way more than you need. (I just didn't have very many expenses over the course of my SV career.) When I was Airbnb-traveling in Europe, I think I spent about $30,000-$35,000 a year when all was said and done. This was very comfortable living in Western Europe though, and I probably spent about half to two-thirds of my time eating out. You can definitely do $20,000 or less a year, especially if you visit cheaper countries, sublet places for at least a month, and cook for yourself more. If you have more than, say, $10k in savings, put some of it in FDIC-insured accounts with ~1% returns (e.g. Ally), and invest some of it index funds (Vanguard). It's basically free money unless you happen to invest right before a major recession.

whataretensors 9y ago

Not OP, but I did this and it really depends on what you want. I had some success, then got obsessed with AI. After 1-2 years studying nonstop figuring out what to build I ran out of money and had to consult. I would have made more money working full time... but perhaps not if my next project goes well. That said, even with what I know now, I'm about to do it all again. The freedom is priceless. Risk is scary. But going 9-5 to a job hoping for raises, good bosses, and stock liquidation events is even scarier IMO.

tastyface 9y ago

My main adjustment was to (mentally) let go of all my inessential belongings. Pretty much all my important things now fit in a small, maximum-legal-carryon-sized suitcase, along with a small backpack and the stuff that I wear on my body. This lets me live and travel loosely, whether hopping between Airbnbs in Europe or lucking into enticing month-long sublets back home in SF. If I get tired of my surroundings, I can pick up my life and move somewhere else in the course of a day. It's extremely liberating, both physically and mentally. (Of course, this presupposes that you don't have an SO or dependents.) It took me a while to figure out my optimal "toolkit". Productivity-wise, my essentials are a Roost dock, Logitech wireless keyboard, and Logitech wireless gaming mouse. Working from cafés is really great now. (And my shoulder pain is gone!) Productive travel advice: don't do hostels. Airbnbs are awesome, but only pick ones with private rooms that have a nice desk and chair. It's way more convenient than spending extra money on a coworking space (unless that's your thing). If you're planning to actually get work done, stay in a given city for at least two weeks, and preferably more than a month. Traveling to a new city always takes some adjustment. I started with $100,000, but that's way more than you need. (I just didn't have very many expenses over the course of my SV career.) When I was Airbnb-traveling in Europe, I think I spent about $30,000-$35,000 a year when all was said and done. This was very comfortable living in Western Europe though, and I probably spent about half to two-thirds of my time eating out. You can definitely do $20,000 or less a year, especially if you visit cheaper countries, sublet places for at least a month, and cook for yourself more. If you have more than, say, $10k in savings, put some of it in FDIC-insured accounts with ~1% returns (e.g. Ally), and invest some of it index funds (Vanguard). It's basically free money unless you happen to invest right before a major recession.