My salary was largely commission based (Business Manager for Main Dealer). The last full month of work, they changed my pay plan to effectively cut my pay by approx 30% (although I had already decided to leave at this point, and put a deposit on the equipment) - as it was such a busy period, I earnt £8600 in my last month - this went a LONG way to getting me on my feet.
I read and read and read this forum - one thing I noticed was that in all the TM vs Portie debate, is that Portie users (in the majority) were putting off upgrading to a TM due to the cost, and would they recoup it? - so I kept looking for a deal on a TM, I figured "Whats the point in spending £4k on a portable, when for £7k you can get a TM in a van?" - and that's exactly what I found (and I've seen some even better deals since!). I've also spend a small fortune on other equipment, training, marketing, as well as supporting me and the family over the last 12 months - if you haven't got enough to live on with NO OTHER MONEY coming in for at least 6 months, then don't do anything until you're in a stronger financial position.
My Mrs works in a job she loves, but the money is pants - but if it wasn't for her, and some wheeling & dealing we've both been doing, I can imagine that I may have had to go back to employment several times over the last few months. One day you're getting a few enquiries a day, the next the phone doesn't ring for a week - it really is that irregular, can you survive with that?
It has put a strain on my relationship with the Mrs, but not as much as when I was never here because I was working 60 hours a week - so there are pros and cons.
Sorry for the long post, it's an awkward decision, and one you have to make for yourself.
Oh, and another thing - If it all goes t*ts up for me, I can walk into another job and start Monday - can you say the same?
