I'm fortunate to live in Canada, where healthcare is taken care of.

... and donuts and bacon rain from the sky! 

From his grammar, I'm guessing that the OP doesn't live in the USA, which may make $50k USD even more significant.

Interesting... I grew up in nyc and now live in Los Angeles. Maybe its my urban slang i speak that is confusing you. In both these cities, $50K isnt a whole lot. Other than that, i do agree with ur post.

I would certainly go full time. Not because it is a lot of money-- what we are forgetting is that money isn't everything.
For me there is no better way to make a living, no boss, no awkward clients and flexible hours, need I say more

I would agree that these are definately the main reason for me wanting to.

Quote from: sharply_done on May 12, 2010, 10:55

I'm fortunate to live in Canada, where healthcare is taken care of.

... and donuts and bacon rain from the sky! 

At least Canadian Bacon is edible (it's what we call 'Bacon'). 

Quote from: sharply_done on May 12, 2010, 10:55

I think most of you people need a reality check: 75% of working people in the USA earn less than $50k, and 88% earn less than $75k (USA Census Bureau, 2008). Referring to $50k as "residual income" or mentioning it in the same breath as a McDonald's or student wage is way, way, way, out of touch with reality, as is regarding it as an insufficient salary to provide a good quality of life.

The voice of reason, agree!

Actually the median income is $44,389, but with an added note: Today, 42% of all households have two income earners. Suddenly that $50,00 figure divided by two incomes, isn't so high?

That would mean there are a bunch of couples making $23,000 each to create a household income of $46,000. Average household appears  to be 2.35 people. Per capita money income, (1999) = $21,587

I'm not judging what level of lifestyle that may support, or anything else, just pointing out that $200 a day would be over $50,000 a year and above the average household income in the USA.

Personally? I'd take it because I'm single and living a frugal lifestyle right now. "normal" people would strive to make more.

Flipping burgers? You'll make $15,000 a year and an assistant manager will make $27,000 in the US. Which means someone pulling down $300 a week in micro is making more than someone working minimum wage, 40 hours a week, at something else. Not too shabby being your own boss, if that someone is motivated and a good self-starter.

To answer the original question? YES! And I'd quit the two jobs I work now.

Come on!  Isn't $45.000 the average household income in US?  And here we are talking about one single person making that amount.

If someone is are already making that amount without working on this full time, just imagine what could be achieved doing it full time!

I don't mean to offend anyone but, some people will just never make the jump to be independent. They just don't have the spirit to go that way.  They have been educated to have a boss and need to feel they are "safe".

Heck no.  After taxes, that would be $100 a day, plus all the expenses of insurance, equipment, etc.  That's not nearly enough cushion in case of unexpected drops or anything else.  You need to figure out what you need to live on, add in all the costs associated, and then double it.  (and that still wasn't enough for me to quit my job yet)

Unless you're single and living in your mom's basement or something where you have absolutely no risk at all.

if you're paying 50% taxes you need a better accountant -
the avg american pays 15-20% in TOTAL taxes --  and as a business, much of expenses become deductible, further lowering taxes.  $200 per day is $52K per year, which is well above the median US income; not suitable for everyone but certainly livable

s

Quote from: Digital66 on May 12, 2010, 13:39

I don't mean to offend anyone but, some people will just never make the jump to be independent. They just don't have the spirit to go that way.  They have been educated to have a boss and need to feel they are "safe".

On the contrary, I need to feel that my family is "safe."  
...

Or it may be that, like a few others here, you're risk averse; you value financial security more than a healthier family lifestyle. I'm at the opposite end of the scale: As a single father with a college-bound teenager, the freedom I have now when taken together with the time I've been able to spend with my son far outweigh the benefits I had when pursuing a traditional career. Like you, I truly enjoyed my well-paying job, but it's absurd to compare where I would still be to where I am now if I hadn't accepted the risk. And I'm not alone in this - there are many who tell a similar tale. Like they say: no pain, no gain.

"Radix malorum est cupiditas", as my old English teacher used to say. Love of money is the root of all evil.

It's been evil my whole life, unfortunately a necessary one. I never had a good job, nor did what I wanted to do. I drifted into photography and scrabble around to make it pay for my wonderful wife and four children. I'll probably end up dying a happy but poor man.

50,000$ is a good starting wage in any country in the world, it will keep you housed and clothed with food in your stomach. Anything extra is a bonus.

If I could do any job in the world, I'd play music for a living - as thing's are it's a luxury to find time to tune my guitar.

I'm overworked, stressed, graying and a shadow of my youth - all for the pursuit money. On the plus side I have no boss, and work from home where I can see my children grow up and hear them play in the garden after school when I'm at work.

If someone offered my good money for a job with benefits, sociable hours and holiday pay I might just take it, the alternative being held at the whim of people who may or may not buy my pictures.

If I was earning $200 a day doing what you are, I'd keep the other job and enjoy the extra cash. But, I'm no entrepreneur, just a working class English man with a chip on his sagging shoulders.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Oldhand (who's old before his time)

Quote from: PowerDroid on May 12, 2010, 13:53

Quote from: Digital66 on May 12, 2010, 13:39

I don't mean to offend anyone but, some people will just never make the jump to be independent. They just don't have the spirit to go that way.  They have been educated to have a boss and need to feel they are "safe".

On the contrary, I need to feel that my family is "safe."  
...

Or it may be that, like a few others here, you're risk averse; you value financial security more than a healthier family lifestyle. I'm at the opposite end of the scale: As a single father with a college-bound teenager, the freedom I have now when taken together with the time I've been able to spend with my son far outweigh the benefits I had when pursuing a traditional career. Like you, I truly enjoyed my well-paying job, but it's absurd to compare where I would still be to where I am now if I hadn't accepted the risk. And I'm not alone in this - there are many who tell a similar tale. Like they say: no pain, no gain.

I agree: No pain, no gain.

My wife and I quitted our job many years ago.  It's not been easy, there's been very hard times but we are happy we did it.  The hard times have helped us grow stronger both as individuals and as a couple  Working from home, and having lots of time to be with our kids has been the most wonderful experience.

I say everyone should quit their jobs and just do what they love.  You get more time with your kids and spouse.  Times will be tough, but you'll be stronger, happier.  Just don't get cancer because the doctors are all on the golf course.  Be careful not to set your house on fire because the firemen are now fly fishermen.  And learn how to hunt for your food and knit your clothing from pelts, because there will be no stores... why would clerks and shelf-stockers toil away in a soul-crushing store when they could be making jewelry or finger-painting?

But then... who will be left to buy your photos?  Hmmm... maybe we need capitalism to still function after all.

I don't think thats what the other two posters are saying.  If it was up to me all you people with good paying jobs would stick to them and stop sell your images cheap for pocket money. Then we Photographers who do this for a living could go back to making the big bucks, but thats not going to happen. 

I say everyone should quit their jobs and just do what they love.  You get more time with your kids and spouse.  Times will be tough, but you'll be stronger, happier.  Just don't get cancer because the doctors are all on the golf course.  Be careful not to set your house on fire because the firemen are now fly fishermen.  And learn how to hunt for your food and knit your clothing from pelts, because there will be no stores... why would clerks and shelf-stockers toil away in a soul-crushing store when they could be making jewelry or finger-painting?

But then... who will be left to buy your photos?  Hmmm... maybe we need capitalism to still function after all.

Would you advice that?  Because I wouldn't.

Anyone wishing to quit a job, must have a good plan.   And as I said before:  Being independent is not for everyone.

Note:  What an interesting thread.  I am really enjoying it. 

I say everyone should quit their jobs and just do what they love.  You get more time with your kids and spouse.  Times will be tough, but you'll be stronger, happier.  Just don't get cancer because the doctors are all on the golf course.  Be careful not to set your house on fire because the firemen are now fly fishermen.  And learn how to hunt for your food and knit your clothing from pelts, because there will be no stores... why would clerks and shelf-stockers toil away in a soul-crushing store when they could be making jewelry or finger-painting?

you know, it may shock the microstock community, but being a fireman or a doctor is a dream job for some people. it may even be something they love or are passionate about. there is certainly more prestige and money. i mean, does anyone want a calendar full of microstocking boys and girls?

however, i agree that if you have full time professional job, to throw it away for microstock is risky if you're not pulling in at least 6 figures. it maybe hard to get back into the workplace later with a hole in your resume because you gave it up to pursue something you love to do.