When are you ready to quit your day job?

@calajane (1003)
Poland
November 15, 2010 4:34pm CST
It's really a question that's been on my mind a lot. I have a day job, I's still studying. There are a lot of expenses I need to cover every month, probably like everybody else. But what I'd really want is to work at home, and still be able to support myself. But the question is... When do you know you're ready for the transition? Should I save up first? Provide myself with a safety net? Or risk it all, because if I'm desperate I'll put more effort into earning money? Anyone have their own experience or plans for working at home?
1 person likes this
11 responses
• Singapore
15 Nov 10
I became pregnant a couple of years ago. I was having a full-time job with a good pay then. I wanted to quit my job to look after my daughter for a few years. So I saved up some money and after I gave birth I quit. I had savings that should buffer me for a couple of years. I thought that I'm going to give myself that time to look for online opportunities and earn money through the Internet. I'm still working on this. I'm currently earning about $100 per month and wish to increase this in the future. I guess I have not reached that desperation stage and thus, taking my own sweet time to earn money online. I took up a job which allows more flexibility, own time own target type. It gives me time to look into my online earning capacities. Whatever it is, I'm looking for ways to earn passive income. Both my earning online as well as my current job has that potentials. As I write this, I'm still at home, while others are rushing to work
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
A safety net that can buffer you for a couple of years?! WOW! Congrats on being able to pull that off! And with a baby (taking care of one certainly seems like a huge enough job) that you still find time to pursue your online adventures... I have a lot of respect for you right now! I'm writing this from work, but I would really love to be like you, being at home and slowly preparing to earn some money. For myself, not for my employer... Thank you so much for sharing this perspective with me!
• Singapore
16 Nov 10
I think it takes a lot of courage to leave a comfort zone, to leave a regular paying job and not knowing where your next check is coming from. but it prepares me for the instability in online earning and hopefully future online businesses (working on this). Juggling everything can be tiresome, but it's so much fun! Now, my daughter is already 3 plus, thus I have a little more free time, since she does not have to be carried all the time. She can do her own things while I work on my small projects. I know I have to work harder on this to achieve my goals, sometimes just not motivated. LOL!
1 person likes this
• Singapore
16 Nov 10
Oops! Thanks for the BR! That was what I was going to say but got carried away... LOL!
1 person likes this
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
16 Nov 10
ehmm..., i think you are the only person who can answer this question and nobody else... you know your own situation the best... for me, if i feel that i don't feel comfortable with the place i am working at anymore and i have save up enough money to start my own business or work from home, then i will quit my job... before that, i will bear with it... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
Thank you for your response. You're probably right. In the end I will most likely have to make this decision, no matter what everybody else tells me. I just hope it's going to be a good decision I wish you luck with your plans! Have a good day as well!
@shia88 (4571)
• Malaysia
16 Nov 10
Hi, MOney is pretty important in life and without money,there is no way we can carry on with our live. Therefore,when you are still young, work harder to earn more money. In your condition,it can be tiring to work and study at the same time. Just wondering you are taking part time course? As you mentioned above, you have to support yourself on all the bills,therefore, you really need to work. Unless you can get some online jobs to work from home,then you can consider quit for work and stay at home to work. If you do have a blog,writing a paidpost/article is pretty good earning job too.
1 person likes this
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
Hi, thank you for your response I'm living in Poland and here you can study full time, decide to have classes only in the evenings or only during weekends. I have a full time job, so I opted to have classes only during weekends. I suppose you could call it part time. It's just a different system of studying, the end result is the same. I think the best decision would be to find a revenue stream that would pay relatively well for less work (but that's the dream we all have, right? XD)
@pogi253 (1586)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
The great thing regarding work at home jobs is that only a few of them need certifications or college degrees. For example, if you want to turn out to be an online teacher, then you'd of course need a bachelor's degree, teaching certificate and experience. But if you're seeking data entry jobs, the most you will likely need is a good typing speed.
1 person likes this
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
I don't know how complicated a data entry job would be. Or if it would satisfy me in the long run. It's definitely something worth considering. Thank you for mentioning it!
@del2010 (76)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
If your are not satisfied the job that you have landed into then why stick to that. Why not look for a better one. There are so many company's who are looking a capable for employee and qualified one, if you are one of them then try to look for another one. Now if are able to look for a job wherein you need not going then you may also give up. What is important is that you have other sources of income before you decide to stay out of your job.
1 person likes this
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
It's one thing everybody seems to agree on: that if one chooses to leave their regular job and concentrate on working from home they should have more than one revenue stream. And it does sound reasonable. I think I will definitely consider it! Thank you very much for your response!
@tokwa99 (92)
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
im planning to quit my job, and work at home, but i rather not to....i suggest you finish your studies and have a decent job, then continue to work home...."patience is a virtue".
1 person likes this
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
Thank you very much for your response. I hope you'll be able to decide what to do: work from home or in a regular job... maybe both? Whichever suits you best!
@narayan2006 (2954)
• India
15 Nov 10
The decision of quitting a regular day job,and working at home is mostly based on one's capacity to take higher risk and one's confidence on the earning potential of a new home based business.A regular day job provides security and stability in maintaining one's livelihood.It is wise to remain in the regular job and start the home based business simultaneously on a low scale to gain confidence. Further,one needs to build up a safety net to avoid probable risk of failure and resulting insecurity in the new business. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
Thank you narayan! Your advice really sounds reasonable and I suppose it is the middle ground. Though it does leave the question of when exactly the safety net is big enough to start taking risks. I mean, I wouldn't want to be stuck, what would actually be, two jobs. I don't think I would be able to pull that off in the long run...
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
7 Jan 11
i would miss being out in the world if i quit my day job. i actually dont mind my job and really like the people i work with!
1 person likes this
• Philippines
16 Nov 10
It would be good to quit when you are prepared, especially in the financial aspect. It is not enough to have savings tucked in. You should be capable and equipped with resources on how you could replenish those savings and fend for your everyday expenses. Find yourself a steady regular work from home income or you may have another business on the side that could give you additional income. At this stage, it is important to have multiple income streams because working from home is not like a regular day job where you get a regular pay check. Be prepared for payment delays or unfortunately some fraud or scammers. You should be prepared to cushion these blows.
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@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
First of all, let me just say that I adore your username, it's great! And thank you for the insight. With online earnings it's probably the wisest idea to keep several earning sources and not concentrate on one. I don't think I would take it well if (after my transition to working from home) I failed. Failure is not a pleasant feeling!
@Jiabsa (511)
• India
16 Nov 10
I appreciate you because you are great...When I was a student I depended my father for my daily expenses and study. Here you are ready to work hard for your daily bread. Wish you all the best......
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
Thank you very much for your response! I wish you all the best as well!
• United States
16 Nov 10
Your work comes first right now. Save up money for your emergency fund, and find ways to relinquish money working on the web. The transition should be well planned, because there is lots of stuff to figure. You will need to know how much money needs to be earned online, and credible websites that will offer you that. Next, you will have to decide if the work you will finish at home is possible, and if the company you work for is genuine. Supporting yourself becomes a challenge when working at home for affiliate marketing companies. This is not to say that all people struggle making the median house hold income online. Focus on a plan, and ensue a path based on your financial goals, limits, options and plausibility of such a project.
@calajane (1003)
• Poland
16 Nov 10
You make me think I really need to consider making a serious business plan with detailed possible revenue streams and plans on which revenue I should concentrate because it offers me the best possible income. I think you're right. That particular decision can't be made in a rush... Thank you very much for sharing your opinion with me. Do you mind if I ask whether or not you have any plans of quitting your day job? Maybe you've already done that? I'm asking because it does seem like you've put a lot of thought into this