I did it last year. I quit a job of 16 years and have been unemployed since. The reason is I've not needed a job since I've gotten other forms of income and my income needs are minimal, so I haven't even looked for work. (No, I don't get income from any government entity). I've absolutely LOVED the last 16 months off. Who wouldn't right? I used some of the time to travel, some to start writing a book, but mostly just to sleep, rest up, and refresh my spirit. Don't be afraid of doing what your heart wants. If you life is that bad because of your current work don't be afraid to quit. Life has a way of turning out allright.
I've been working at B for the last three weeks. I took A's offer. I pushed a little to see if they would up it but in the end took what they offered originally. In the final analysis, it wasn't something i felt i could walk away from so I didn't try to negotiate hard. I think the experience I will gain there will open other doors for me in the future. I start on January. Once I'm sure my situation at A is stable, I've talked with my wife about her stopping work. The last 3 years have been very hard on both of us what with having a baby and then me dealing with an increasingly hostile situation at work. We've been focused too much on saving for the future. it would do us both a world of good to unwind and enjoy life for a while.
