Quick question- did you take the eurostar from London to Paris? Trying to make some plans for the fall, but 140 rt seems expensive.

Thanks!

Congratulations!

You have the courage that many do not and the planning and discipline to make it happen. You will not be disappointed!

I started working from home in February after working at my corporate job for 9+ years (by my own choice as well) and am the happiest I've been for at least several years. Yes, I make less money but the trade off is huge, in my opinion.

Congratulations again!

p.s. I find I actually eat less working from home because I'm not down in the dumps from being in a cube all day. :)

The thing I love most about working for myself is that work revolves around my life instead of my life revolving around work. It's a huge difference.

Best of luck, and when my clients need awesome blog designs I will put you at the top of the recommendation list!

The nice thing about working from home is that you can go exercise (almost) whenever you feel like it! woo!

Best of luck & have fun with it.

I really admire how you're such a brave woman and what's you've outlined as your accomplishments makes me feel a twinge of bravery but I'll just read about your exploits.

I've been home most of the summer studying for the bar exam, and I must say, it can be a challenge keeping to a schedule. However, it's great to make lunch at home (either b/c then you can make a complicated but awesome salad that you'd never pack, or you can have a chips and homemade guacamole lunch). Best to luck and I look forward to reading more about your journey!

And I think tomorrow should also be Non-Freelancers Take Off Your Pants Day. I'll lead the charge.

And I have to disagree with the person who said daytime TV rocks. I've always thought daytime TV was designed to punish the unemployed. Find some good stuff to record so you have it during daytime downtimes.

Do you realize that you have already done several things that most people only dream about doing?

What's next? POTUS???? ;)

If the economy continues to tank, companies will lay off all their full-timers and rely on freelancers. The newspaper industry is already doing that.

I have no doubt you will be a huge success. I look forward to hearing about your pantsless work days. ;)

CONGRATULATIONS on your big move! Super exciting!! When I start paying attention to my Goal List, eventually I'll get to the point where you can develop my webpage! More business!

No way would you make a move this big without very, very careful planning and a lot of detail and number-crunching beforehand.

I congratulate you and applaud you for taking a leap of faith and investing in yourself. Lots and lots of positive juju and good wishes being sent your way!

Wishing you all the very best with it.

As for not wearing pants... Well, let me just say that aside from keeping on schedule with work, my only other goal for this week was to shower and get dressed every day. So far, so good. (It's amazingly liberating to be able to answer your door or go get your mail because you're actually wearing clean clothes and a bra. :) )

As for now being a bad time to start a freelancing career, I honestly think now is the perfect time. If you can succeed *now* while the economy is bad, imagine how well you'll do once things pick up again!

But now I'm just rambling. Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you, and you deserve it!

Best wishes for your first week wearing pants!

I'll be looking to follow a different path to you, but I'm starting to work on my 'secret goal' which really isnt very secret at all. Wish me luck!!

and your organisation skills and discipline and and common sense and all that... basically all the thigns that will make this work for you, i find both inspiring and intimidating in equal measure.

Agreed with a lot of the commenters - I would love to be able to freelance, but I'm both #1 scared of not having a steady income and #2 not sure I have any experience with anything that would be freelance-able. But this sitting in an office 40+ hours a week even on weeks I have 20 hours or less of work to do...sucks. Can't complain because the alternatives suck even worse (60+ hour work weeks or not having a job), but still, it drives me nuts.

As I've been researching online businesses, I've seen over and over that one way to draw in income is to sell "how to" or "helpful tips" e-books or e-pamphlets for download. Have you considered that? Seeing as how you are into fitness and entrepreneurship, two topics I enjoy, I'd certainly be interested.

Best of luck to you! iSi se puede!

It sounds like you have planned for this as well as you can - unlike some people who I think just decide that they don't want to get up & go into work in the mornings. I'm sure that you will succeed - sounds like the timing is perfect for you.

Even my husband wrote me a text message today and told me that if I was working, he would have told his boss to f*ck off. He's worked there for about 20 years, and he takes A LOT. I told him we have enough money to pay our bills for a year, but I still don't think he'll leave his comfort zone. So I suggested he start "feeling out" people he knows who might know of a job he can apply for. I hope he does.

And when I get serious about my website - you are on! (If you're not already booked up, that is.)

Best of luck!

Your new web site is snazzy, your prices look great, and I'll be recommending your services on several large e-mail lists for editorial freelancers.

So proud of you... if that's possible for someone you've never met. *grin* You're gonna kick arse and take names. I just know it!

I like your business site very much--it's clear, friendly, and I think targeted at exactly the people you want to be your clients. Good luck.

I am so glad I happened upon this web site all those months ago. Best wishes! I predict you're gonna make a pile of money. All my husband's friends who freelance have.

Dear, he has never looked back and we have NEVER regretted this decision. He has never been happier, even though his "work day" is more like 12-15 hours long rather than 8, because he is doing something he enjoys.

I wish you the best of luck, and if you need any artwork, let me know. I know this really great artist...

My only piece of advice is this: don't listen to those people telling you to watch t.v.! Don't turn it on, even for a minute! it will suck you in! TV is the EVIL ENEMY of us work at home folks. In fact, i highly recommend just completely getting rid of cable. We did, and have never regretted it. We still have netflix, so we watch a movie or t.v. show on dvd in the evenings together, but it is controlled portion control, something i truly need in every area of my life. just my two cents.

flylady was a big help to me in learning discipline sticking to a routine, i.e. getting dressed to the shoes, etc. Something as simple as putting my shoes on each day was huge for me. Changes my whole day once those shoes are on. It tells my body and my mind that it's not time to relax. it's time to get to work.

o.k., i'm done. sorry if that was soap box-y. i think you are incredibly brave and you've gone about this in a very logical and intelligent way. highly impressed with the 6 months of income saved. well done! best of luck with your new business venture.

I actually am a lawyer--but not a rich one, unfortunately. I have had virtually no work lately so every day I come in and sit here, waiting to get laid off--it is torture. I am trying to expand my practice areas and take advantage of free seminars while I'm still employed so that if/when that layoff occurs, I will be ready to strike out on my own. I think the first few years will be financially painful, but once I can get a good referral base going I should be good to go and it will be BLISS to set my own hours!

Good luck PQ!

Thank you so much.

Just think of all the time you will get to spend with your kitties now. They will probably go crazy now with you there all day long!

My question: When making a change...how do you start? Where do you have to be in your mind to start and how do you get to that point?

Btw..just read your book. Best book on the topic of losing weight I have ever read. Have told everyone who will listen to read this book!