@traders I'd like to clarify/broaden the scope of "full-time employment" to something like "a reliable income stream, driven by my own efforts, large enough to support my desired standard of living" to allow for something like starting a company. This is in keeping with the spirit of the question, achieving my goal of getting back to self-sufficiency, but would be a material change to the resolution criteria. Any thoughts on whether/how I can do this fairly?

@AriZerner Happy for self-employed to be treated as fully-employed, provided it’s generating actual revenue.

I also would tentatively accept a startup type role that doesn’t generate revenue, provided it’s full-time and funded by genuine investment.

Actually, quick question for context generally: do you have substantial savings and/or familial support?

@OP I've basically exhausted the (formerly substantial) savings that let me coast for the last two years. As of September 2024 I'm living with my dad and he's paying for groceries.

@AriZerner I have no issue with this update.

Does this imply you have something in the works to get this to resolve YES?

@Quroe only a potential of something for now, but I want to account for the possibility now rather than risk having to retroactively change the resolution criteria when it's definitely relevant

Do you have any of those three right now?

@OP no

One factor is the job market: SWE is in a bad place so it's tough unless you do something like AI, but you should be able to get it by may

I think you'll have a job and a place, but I think the driving practice and the bureaucracy of license-getting will take longer than anticipated (by mid-summer perhaps)

Consider this even more incentive!

Putting 1000 on no to incentivise you to do it

I assume it counts as your own place if you have housemates? it's about paying rent, not living solo, right?

@shankypanky right