[ilaksh]

I have been trying to "bootstrap" various things for at least ten years, depending on how you count it. I've been able to scrape by, and on a few occasions that was at least partially income from the startup attempts. I got used to being poor. Moved to Mexico for awhile.

I never tried to raise money though and always have worked alone so that probably doesn't apply to your situation.

But I was probably 8 years ahead of the game in terms of remote work. Never have to commute. Don't even own a car (technically can't necessarily afford it).

I do have to take programming contracts routinely but I don't try to get high paying ones. And in between I can spend 30-40% of my time working on exactly the projects that are interesting to me using my preferred approach.

Luckily I don't have a kid or anything.

I don't like being poor that much but I don't have to deal with office politics, commuting, high-pressure projects.

[quantum_mind]

Sounds like you’ve found a work-life balance that are you happy with. Thank you for sharing!