" you have to pursue the correct opportunities to make this happen" - you are exactly right. Chasing the quick-dollar-scheme or NOT having the right opportunity at the right time can leave someone more exhausted and poorer than he has ever imagined.

Self-employment has too many bad outcomes, but I guess works for younger people as they are trying to establish their life and that gives them a bit of more freedom and outside the box-slave experience. If you can make more money than having a boss - GREAT! Though fighting as a freelancer (self-employed) every day to feed your family is a WHOLE OTHER STORY :)

So, that is your personal story! I am very glad it works for you! It's great to see people succeeding outside the modern-day-8-hr-slavery. Cheers!