I am old enough to retire, but I get free health insurance with a $500 deduct, so that said I'm sticking here a lot longer than I figured when I was 50. I would stick to my job or maybe ask them to put you on part time and see if you like that. I have a quilting machine and do some quilting for the public, I have found that they, especially your friends want it for nothing. All I can tell you is to pray about it and let the Lord lead you in the right direction

I think I would stay with my job and pay down my debt. During that time, I think I would do a little research; find out how many professional long-armers were working in my area and perhaps talk to some of them about whether they stay 100 percent committed. Sometimes, people are willing to "farm out" certain jobs if they are overbooked if they know someone is doing part time work and is good and reliable. You could also use the time to do some careful financial planning--how much do you need to earn. How much can the local market support as a charge rate (What's everyone else charging?) How many quilts a week would you need to finish to make your needed profit? Are you, and be honest with yourself, able to churn out that many quilts, week after week, month after month and do a top notch job on all of them? Whatever you decide to do, the very best of luck to you.

Make sure you are a very good quilter from the very beginning. One bad quilt will hurt your reputation for a long time. I started part time and it took me 2 years to go full time but my area is heavy with long-term quilters.

I have been told it takes at least 1 year to start making a profit at a home business. Can you go that long without the additional income? It would be good if you could talk to someone that knows about home businesses and can help you make a business plan and cover all the things to think about.

Just want to say good luck in whatever you decide to do. I know exactly how you feel about wanting to leave a job. Like someone already said, maybe you could either change employers or change departments. Anyway hoping you can find contentment somewhere.

There is a lady here in town who runs a quilt shop out of her garage(it is a very nice garage) on weekends and evenings while holding a regular job. I can't imagine she is overwhelmed with customers, but she has a steady stream of regulars. Maybe you could start out slow by giving classes at the local YWCA or senior center.

One secret to having your own business is to find a "nitch" I know a lady who worked as a seamstress before she "officially" retired. After retirement she started making sateen jackets with colored stars on them that are the colors of the "fresh beat band" members. She is selling them on Etsy and thru a web site. They sell for $100+. Kids buy them to wear to the concerts. She made $70,000 last year. She found her "nitch". Good luck to you!!!!

Another viewpoint: I remember when I was about your age I went through the whole boredom thing too. I felt very agitated about not doing anything about it but I didn't feel I could leave the benefits and retirement system I was under. I've since noticed a number of people I know going through this same spell of boredom with whatever job they were in. It is very hard to start your own business and there are a lot of pits to fall in so take all the excellent advice here and think long and hard about doing that.
In the meantime, your plan about part-time work outside the regular job is good. It will not only let you see what working for others(as your own business) is like and may help you with the regular job boredom which hopefully, will pass.
It took quite a while for my boredom to pass. I tried some Zen thinking about being at work, left it all at the door each night and tried to put more of my energies and interest into my personal life. Sometimes your personal life can be the background to your working life. Try to reverse that.
Good luck.

they will drive you crazy trying to cut the price you quoted them, in 5 years I have came to say it is a pain in the XXX...

Hi! What a great goal but I agree with everyone to pay off debt first. My husband was able to retire early but I am still working and my love for what I do weans every year. We have just come up with a plan to pay off our mortgage by September 2015. By that time we will only have a home equity loan to pay off. No mortgage, no car payment & no credit card debt! Trying to build up our savings too. It is fun to have a goal that we are going to work on together & keep each other accountable for. I love your idea if trying things out part-time. Sounds solid. I hope in a few years to be able to just have a job with much, much less stress just for the health benefits. We live in a small ranch house that suits us fine & dropped the idea of buying a bigger & better house with more land b/c neither of us wanted to work until the age of 80. Quality of life is so important. Anyway, good luck with your side business & I wish you much success!!

Be free of ALL debt except maybe the major house mortgage. You should have "in the bank" a good 6 months of expenses saved. Then you can play around. 6 months really isn't enough but it does give you a moments breath. My husband and I retired in 1996 - he was 48 I was 44. We have a monthly income (not including interest and dividends) of $2,400. Yes, we owe on nothing, own everything. Yes, we can live off of that small amount, we live within our means. Good luck.