Getting into COBOL to be able to write your own checks is a valid answer.

Yes. Clisp to Java to Scala and to the Java finally. Every switch was to get more money. As a result in the end I got more money and more domain experience. Most switches were traumatic for a week and then it was back to normal.

Go back to Java

Every time I’ve switched jobs I’ve changed languages. I got a lot of raises that way. Don’t get stuck thinking of yourself as a language-specific programmer, figure out the types of companies you like and the kind of work you thrive doing.

Some people like the constant greenfield work of agencies, others like to go deep in domain expertise by doing corporate work. Some like front-end web, some like backend and databases. Find your niche, but don’t be afraid to explore outside of it.

Sort of. I was a “language of the month” hobbyist. Then Visual Basic and Access with VBA came along and I could actually be productive enough to ditch my labour jobs in favour of a small freelance operation that generated comparable income, but was way more fun and much easier on my back and joints.