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Personally I think 6 months is not enough. I've been massively in debt, lived hand to mouth, and that changes your view of 'careful'. At least, it changed min

Personally I think 6 months is not enough. I've been massively in debt, lived hand to mouth, and that changes your view of 'careful'. At least, it changed mine. Could I go get a job and start getting paid in < 6 months. Likely, but it might not be good - just, survivable. Suddenly I'm back to check-to-check living, and that cushion slowly erodes. You're now 'check to check' vs "check plus saving". I realize that for the vast majority of people in this country, and the world, having years (or even months) of living expenses saved up is not even fathomable. I've been there - I do get it. Once you start getting to the "1 month" of savings milestone, then 2 months, etc - you start to realize how little that actually is, and how precarious/fragile your state is. At least, that's how it is for me, and at least a few other people I know - your attitude towards money/savings/safety can change a lot quickly. This all depends on your constitution, your age, obligations, family, etc, but "6 months" can go by far quicker than you'd anticipate. Also, the other notion of "6 months of expenses" generally doesn't take in to account extra job hunting expenses - travel or relocation, for starters. Or higher insurance costs if your employer was covering part of it before, etc.

DrJokepu 13y ago
While I totally agree that you should try to save up as much as you can, playing it too safe will inhibit your professional growth. When I decided to get into freelancing, five days after giving my employer notice I had a 12 months consulting contract lined up paying a lot more money for a lot less (but much more interesting) work. If I was worrying too much about financial runways, I'd probably still be at my old job, "playing it safe".
- mgkimsal 13y ago
  Most people I've known who've gone in to full time freelancing have not been as lucky as you within days of quitting their job. Most had something lined up - as in a paying client with at least one project for a few weeks or couple months - not 12 months guaranteed at higher pay for less effort. Again, of the people I've known, they generally had to work to build that up over time - usually most didn't hit that "higher pay than corp job" until between 6 and 18 months. huge sample size? No, but it's not just my experience. :) While you had great serendipity (congrats!), but not everyone can consider doing that if they've got obligations. In the US at least, the 'insurance tied to employers' is a massive problem, and inhibits most of the people I know from switching jobs too much, let alone quitting to freelance. Single people, young people without health issues or too much debt - sure.

DrJokepu 13y ago

While I totally agree that you should try to save up as much as you can, playing it too safe will inhibit your professional growth. When I decided to get into freelancing, five days after giving my employer notice I had a 12 months consulting contract lined up paying a lot more money for a lot less (but much more interesting) work. If I was worrying too much about financial runways, I'd probably still be at my old job, "playing it safe".

mgkimsal 13y ago
Most people I've known who've gone in to full time freelancing have not been as lucky as you within days of quitting their job. Most had something lined up - as in a paying client with at least one project for a few weeks or couple months - not 12 months guaranteed at higher pay for less effort. Again, of the people I've known, they generally had to work to build that up over time - usually most didn't hit that "higher pay than corp job" until between 6 and 18 months. huge sample size? No, but it's not just my experience. :) While you had great serendipity (congrats!), but not everyone can consider doing that if they've got obligations. In the US at least, the 'insurance tied to employers' is a massive problem, and inhibits most of the people I know from switching jobs too much, let alone quitting to freelance. Single people, young people without health issues or too much debt - sure.