I've been more less self-employed since 1985, which means vacations have been a rarity. And usually a logistical nightmare to organize!

Few people realize that vacations COST more when you're self-employed. In my case, they have, at least... there's the cost of actually GOING, but there's also the "cost" of having to start ramping down a couple of weeks before you leave, and the "cost" it takes for the week or so it takes to get back up to speed after you've returned... AND the couple of weeks you're gone, your expenses continue, but you most likely have zero income to meet those expenses.

Anyway, I have never had a paid day off, either. Even when I worked for "companies" I was never there for long enough to get paid vacation days.