I would really like to get out of the 9-5 cubicle existence and do something where I can work from home, take off when I like, etc.  Don't get me wrong... I don't mind working hard, but I just am not enjoying the whole corporate thing where my hours, vacation days, dress code, place of work, etc. are set. I really think this is possible because other developers are somehow pulling this off.  But so far it is just in the dream stage and I have no idea how to move it forward.  I don't know if I want to be freelancer, start my own company or what.In case it matters, I have been working in .Net / MVC for the past few years (both desktop and web) but have experience with other languages as well (Java, C++, Perl, etc.).  I don't have much experience with web design side of things since in all my jobs other people have handled that while I have worked on the programming work.Just to make it more concrete what I want... I wake up on a random Tuesday in June and it's a gorgeous day.  I am ahead of schedule on my projects and I don't feel like working ... I want to go hiking.  I want the freedom to do that without dealing with some PHB. Another scenario... I do feel like working but I want to go visit an old friend or relative for a week in Bismarck / Budapest / Boston.  Said friend has reliable Internet.  Why can't I do that?I'm not talking about being irresponsible just a bit more free.
How to ditch the cubicle?
development environment
I feel your pain. I was in the exact same situation 12 years ago. I finally quit to become freelance and that where all started for me (now I own my businesses)!Here is a very simple strategy (it's more a draft, I will be more than happy to discuss that with you by email). Steps are really simple to enumerate, but they are very hard to achieve. The difference between those who are successful and the others is that the later tend to quit when they face the first difficulties.Your goal: leave your job to become freelance, create some slack in your life or be in a position where you can negociate better work conditions with your existing employer. I don't know what is good for you, since I don't know you.Eliminate waste in your lifeThose tv or magazine subscriptions you don't use very often, that new car that cost you so much, that big appartment you call the cash drain, and so on. You must minimize the amount of money you need per month. This will be the key in later steps.Create a saving strategyNow you have minimized the amount of money you need, save the rest. The more you minimized and the more you earn, the faster you will be able to do the next steps. If you have debts, start to pay them first, then save.Be indispensableIn your daily job, work hard. Do more than your assignments. Help your colleagues. Propose. Suggest. Question.Keep your wordYou have to become previsible in business. You say you will deliver A, deliver A, and even more. You say you will do B, do B! Simple, but more difficult that you think. The key is avoiding to give promise on things you will not be able to achieve.QuitWhen you have accumulated enought money to be able to stop working for at least a year, try something else. This can be a project you always wanted to do, another type of job, anything.This is where I leave you... Further reading:Career RenegadeEscape Cubicle NationThe DipLinchpin Are IndispensableThe 4 Hour Work Week