DH has always worked in recruitment. In the good times he and his partner built a small company fast into a well-earning business with 20-odd employees. Then the recession hit. They downsized very quickly to 3-4 employees, kept going through CVA (basically, the company was bankrupt but could keep going by committing to regular payments to HMRC). His income was erratic. We otherwise lived off savings, then I got a job. Then his
partner left. DH kept going, renting an office and paying back debt, with just one colleague left. She didn't make any money, but because he's kind he'd agreed they'd split any earnings. Finally in May he decided to close the business down, move out of the office and let her go. Since then he's been working from home. He's very motivated, loves being his own boss, and works very hard. But there are slim pickings in his sector, deals often fall through at the last minute, and companies take ages to pay him. More often than not, he doesn't earn. Our savings are getting low. We've discussed him getting a different job, but he doesn't think he can get one in recruitment at his age, with such low recent earnings. Other things he could do, ie bike mechanic or gardener, are very low pay. And when he does do a deal he still earns well. But the insecurity of the situation is getting to me more and more. I love and respect him very much, but I'd really like him to have a regular income, even if it's low. We are lucky to have family who know our situation and will help if need be, but I'd rather not ask. AIBU to think he should try to change careers at this point, in the middle of a deep recession?