Three times, but I've always had a lot of control over it, it was never out of the blue. The last time, though, I decided I was never going to work full-time in a job again and I haven't. First I did four days, and now I do three. The reason was to maintain those other connections and links that lead to other (elastic) incomes when you need or want them. I worked full-time last winter for six months (it helped with the house renovations, it's not finished but I've minimal debt) and have resisted all other offers to do extra days each week.
There have been some lean times but I've found I can live on very little, even when I had a family to care for. The kids were great at researching the internet for things we could do that didn't cost any money. I grew up with packed lunches and picnics, so that wasn't hard either and my car is twenty years old.
I know I'm blessed, though, and I was thinking only this evening how lucky I am to have a warm house (it snowed here today, unusual in lowland England).
It will be okay :)
Thanks for the words here. Means a lot. I am also thinking that I don't want to do a 5 day week job again and want more flexibility than I have had. When it was me in my business alone, the "contact" hours were only about 30 a month, but it paid a full-time job. There was more to it than that of course, but there was a lot of freedom. I just have to rebuild to that point, and it will be okay. But, it will take more effort this time, as I have been "out of the game" a bit longer.
It is funny how you mentioned packed lunches. I grew up like that too. A couple times a year I got a couple dollars to get something from the school canteen. You brought back some interesting memories of those times :)
I think so. But, I don't think so well, so not sure what it is worth :)