You are probably going to need employment. Sit down -- maybe even with family and/or friends -- and figure out what type of work you have the best chance of getting. And ignore the comics in this thread. Their words mean little. Only your decisions have meaning. Make wise ones.
Best thing to do in your situation is to man up and get a job. You need the retirement benefits, for one thing. You should try to get the highest paying job you can get so you'll draw more when you retire. You've a strong degree and know what you need to do. I do not get the sense you are committed to being the best in the world at trading. So, I'm not sure why you are in this game. Here is my advise: #1 Get a job #2 Continue to trade in your spare time. You aren't even day trading so it shouldn't even be a big impact. #3 Keep your expenses down. I advise you to stay away from prop firms unless they pay a salary. The main thing is to create a narrative and sell yourself. Shouldn't be too hard. With a science degree, you should look for management jobs at your age. You can put down your trading business on your resume.
start a business/franchise read through this read for some motivation: http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10237
I am confident in my option trading now, but I have limited capital after 4 years. I am not a risk taker, so I can only expect 20-30% annual return, which is not enough to support my family. Therefore I am seeking to work as a trader. I know it's difficult to get hired as a trader with my qualification, so I said I could put down 30K to start with to work for a prop/investment firm -- of course I still have over 100K in capital. I don't know if there is a prop firm would take a non-daytrader. My posting here is asking for help on how/where to get in as a trader or advises on any other options I can have to stay as a trader and make living. Thanks.
Just be careful you get into the right franchise. There are many sharks out there in the franchise world. Lots of franchise sales people out there to make a commission off of you from the franchise fee. Do your due diligence. Btw, 5 years ago a quiznos franchisee committed suicide. For the cynical view of franchises: http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/
Call a business broker and ask for a listing of all business for sale with a net of $100k per year, eliminate all health care, food service, automotive companies from the list. Each quarter Inc magazine has a special issue listing the fastest growing companies. Examine the list looking for something that is remotely interesting. Find an area an copy a successful business model. Avoid the franchise route if you can.... Forget W2 think LLC-1099 Good luck,
You'll just end up forking over a big chunk of cash for someone's lousy business, w/o any tangible assets in return for the cash. You'll get a lease somewhere, usually about to expire, and some worthless inventory, and won't be able to pay yourself a decent wage. He would be better off with a job at Walmart.