Find out what you really want to do in life, then do it. Do not join a hedge fund unless you are really passionate about markets and trading, and don't feel you can do it yourself. As a self-made guy you will probably hate taking orders and working for someone else for (relatively) peanuts. The real bummer of employment is not the lower income, but the lack of participation when you make $$$ for the firm. You might have a great idea, work hard on it, make the firm 10 mill and you will be given 300k and told to be thankful for making so much at your young age. You also have far less creative freedom as an employee. If I have an idea now, I can implement it as soon as I've done the research. If I work for someone else, it might get blocked, watered down, sneered at etc. If you are feeling lonely and think working solo has poor social status, consider getting a trading partner or two. Don't mix equity, but share an office and ideas/research. If you find someone you gel with, this could be the start of setting up your own fund in a few years. Alternatively go to a trading arcade with a good reputation, preferably in a financial centre. IMO you need to figure out your motivations. So far it seems like you've done things mostly for the money. That's cool *until* you have the money. Then suddenly you realise there's more to life than being relatively financially independent. You need to find something that gives you inner satisfaction too. Sit down for a day or two and just brainstorm, thinking what really gets your blood pumping, what would you be happy doing for the next 20 years just for its own sake, regardless of financial reward. What for you would be your "fantasy life"? Get a shortlist and then decide which to go for. That's your new goal. You can then either do it right away, or work for a few more years to get a true retirement-worthy amount (1-2 mill isn't enough to retire on really, and you'll probably want some "play money") before going for the life-enhancing stuff. Don't be surprised if it takes you a while to figure out your direction. At your age it's very rare to really know what you want out of life.
why not barbecue steaks all day long and wash it all down with World's finest cognac? you could DO worse
Hit this... <br><br><img src=http://www.swiss.org.nz/members/b/beat/beat03.jpg><br><br>The SAND, I meant the SAND!
Funny how everything around her I mean around sand turns to rock hard, I mean hard rock. Love the picture and the sand looks eatable.