Quote from Hardo:
Thanks for all the advice so far, I really appreciate it.
My wife does work, but doesn't have a college degree so it is easier for me to find a job with benefits than it is for her.
As for kids, that is the 800 lb. elephant in the room. We have three - ages 7, 4, and 2. If it was just the two of us I would have tried trading full time long ago. I would have given it a go whether she liked it or not and really wouldn't have risked a lot. I wouldn't want trading full time to jeopardize my kids well being but I also look at trading on my own as a plus for them, having a flexible schedule and not having a 9 to 5 everyday would allow me a lot more time to spend with them.
I like the suggestion of setting a certain time period, like 12 months. If it works, it works. Otherwise I head back to the real world knowing that I gave it a shot and missed, at least I tried. Remember, "You miss a 100 % of the shots you don't take".
I know of people that have been out of work or had hours reduced for close to a year, they have struggled to find work but once they did it was ok. The way I look at it is if I try trading for a year and it doesn't work out I won't be any worse off than they were.