>>surfsv+PX
Wise words :) However ... 'I won’t be telling my kids to “follow your dream”'. .. well, they'll probably do what they wanna do anyway, won't they? ;) My advice to our kids would be, follow your dreams, but be pragmatic, don't put all your eggs in one basket. If you want, to use random examples, to be a musician or something without reliable income, or spend a lot of time travelling for fun, then you're gonna have to learn how to live on little, e:g learn cheap healthy cooking skills, in extreme situation you might have to live in an old van or tent some of the time. And/or maybe develop some specialist work skill that isn't your ideal profession but brings in money quick when you need it. Alternatively, base your life around a career that pays enough to get by, while allowing free time to follow your dreams maybe by working part-time or something. I know someone who works as a teaching assistant in schools whilst doing lead roles in good quality amateur shows. She seems very happy, presumably happier than if she was professional actress. I guess my argument is , its not either/or, its a trade-off.... BTW we are SO lucky in tech. We can have it all, decent paid job that isn't crazy hours. Take time out to go travelling, come back and as long as you got the skillset you'll get hired again. Some other professions have even more freedom... anything medical, always in need. Nurses can call the shots completely.. (in terms of choosing hours, shifts, career breaks to go be in a show, protect a rainforest by occupying it or something)