Thinking about ditching that soul-crushing job? Before you make the leap, there's a real checklist you need to work through.

Let's be honest—most people quit without actually doing the math. Here's what actually matters:

First up, emergency reserves. You need at least 6-12 months of living expenses sitting somewhere liquid. Not invested in alts, not locked in staking—actual cash. This isn't fun, but it's non-negotiable.

Second, diversification across your income streams and assets. Traditional salary dependency is risky. Think passive income, side projects, dividend-yielding assets, alternative income sources. Don't put all eggs in one basket.

Then there's your actual burn rate. Not your salary—what you actually spend monthly. Most people have no idea. Track it for three months before you quit. Ruthlessly.

Tax situation? If you're self-employed or freelancing, you're eating 25-30% more than W2 employees think about. Plan for it.

Healthcare and insurance costs—these spike the moment you're not covered by an employer plan. Factor that in.

Biggest one though: do you have growth potential after the jump? Retiring early doesn't mean stopping entirely. It means having options. Can you scale up earnings? Can your assets compound over time?

The people who actually pull this off aren't just "quitting"—they're transitioning into something that compounds.