>"I really like web development but I can't get anyone to take a chance on me even at half of my current salary. I don't really have time to do side projects an

>"I really like web development but I can't get anyone to take a chance on me even at half of my current salary. I don't really have time to do side projects and build up a decent portfolio so I understand why people are skeptical." Find the time. It seems like you already know how you can carve it out, you just have to accept the sacrifice[0]. Figure out what's most important to you and start cutting out things that don't move you closer to that goal. You'll simultaneously start moving in the direction you want to go and possibly spend less making the possible reduction in salary easier to swallow. This is all certainly easier said than done, but it's not like your situation is terribly unique - I expect it's pretty common experience around HN. Everyone I know who found happiness leaving or reorienting themselves in tech did it by preparing rather than simply leaping. Turning hobbies and part-time projects of passion into careers. 0: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6245844 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6245844