Thanks everyone for the wonderful advice and encouragement!! I'm in the field of Tax Accounting for a large firm, but I really think I want a change. So, I'm trying to decide to stick with my field, so many years in and all; or do I change and start over doing something I would love to do. I can tell everyone this, my partner and I had a heart to heart and we have agreed on some set goals. First, his employment - the goal is for him to be employed full time by the end of Nov. I will stay with my employer until he is employed and we have a steady income coming in. Second, I will seek a part-time position some where and enroll into school part time as well. The goal being to start school the first of next year sometime. This way, we have a steady income and I can fullfil my dream of being the first in my immediate family to graduate from college! This is a big deal for me. I want this for my both personal and professional reason's. I know I can do it and it can be done. This has been a great experience, receiving advice and having a conversation about this with others who may have been or are in my shoes. I sincerely thank you all for your input.

Jean and Mommyof1 to address your comments - Yes, partner is able and willing to work. We relocated from Houston to Atlanta and he left his job there prior to our move. He has been looking, but casually. We have discussed and he knows that he will have to get a job or we will be homeless. My fear is that he has become complaisant with the current situation; we have discussed this as well. His plan is to have a full time job by end of Nov. Obviously no school programs last a couple of months, I was just stating that is what I have as of this moment in time. Thank you both for your thoughts.

Hello, Forgive me if I am not in the right place to post this, I am new to posting on "Forums" or message boards. I am a 45 year old man, who may soon be unemployed and am trying to figure out what to do with the second half of my life. Mid-life crisis, much? I know. I have a good paying job, make pretty good money and got into my field by accident. I started as an EA with a large accounting/consulting firm and worked my way up the ladder over the last 17 years to become the manager I am today. I did all of this without having an undergraduate degree. I surprised even myself with that one. The thing is, I think I am burned out with what I am doing; that and I don't really trust my superiors any longer. My job takes up 45 to 65 hours a week of my life, and has for nearly two decades. Enough is enough. So, I am considering taking a "Leap of Faith", as my partner calls it and quitting my job and going to school full time. I know myself, I'm easily distracted and will not be able to properly focus on school work, if I am worried about my job. Here's the rub - how do I do this and will I be able to survive without an income. I have debt that I have to pay off, consolidation loans, etc. I rent an apt (that dream of home ownership still alludes me), have your typical utilities and so on and so forth. If I leave my job, I'll have enough to keep us afloat for several months, but then, it's gone. My partner does not currently work, is 51 and supports me completely in my decision. Which is wonderful and terrifying at the same time. He is very supportive and my biggest cheerleader - always looks on the bright side. But, will he get a job...can he get a job? He is capable, but is he driven? My heart says yes, brain says no. So, my dilemma is do I do this or not. I am not a religious person, but I am spiritual enough that I have prayed hard and continuously for months about this very thing. Do I do this? Am I fooling myself at this age to go back to school? Can it be done and we both live, yes tighter, leaner, but live. So, I'm putting all my thoughts out to a random group of people that may or may not read this, in the hopes of getting true, maybe comforting, feedback. What to do, what to do...Thanks for listening.