I have two reasons for doing so: A) I want to be able to call my own shots in how I spend my time. The commute is killing me, for one thing. B) I also want to bootstrap my own products. Have launched one web application a few years ago (didn't catch on, but I learned a lot.) I have a long list of ideas I'm eager to execute on, but unable to do so while working fulltime at a BigCo (I'd like to, and I've tried once earlier, but it didn't work out and probably won't while I work a fulltime salaried job.)

I'm 33 yrs old. Ten years experience as a paid developer. Competent Java/Ruby/JavaScript programmer. Frontend, backend and some mobile experience. I've done some speaking in the local developer community, got some open repos in GitHub in multiple languages and have a couple of public webapps/websites in my portfolio. I'm certainly no "rock star" though!

I have a decent network, but mainly composed of developers, not too many product owners/stakeholders/gatekeepers.

I'm a family man, but we've gotten our living expenses down to the point where we can live well if I pull in at average 3k each month (take-home pay). Have saved up a nest egg which will carry us for 6 months if I'm unable to get any contracting work at all. If I'm able to get work charging around 100-150$/hr I'd only need to work around 16 full weeks a year or on average 2 days a week to get by. This is a very rough calculation and subject to differences in currencies and living expenses from the US, but I think you get the idea: I've done my homework.

Oh and I live in a Scandinavian country, near one of the capitals (where most of the web/software work is going on).

So. How does my situation sound to you? I think this should work but I need some outside validation. What are my chances?

Really, one of the biggest things holding me back is a small fear that the current debt situation in the US turns into worldwide financial armageddon - would I be better off on my own or continuing work at a BigCo in that case?