From Full time job with benefits to....REI with nothing?

[Marisa Faulkner]

Real Estate Investing is all fun and games until you need medical insurance.  This is a concern that I would like to get some feedback on.  Can anyone provide any advice or suggestions on going from a job with benefits to no benefits at all? 

Were you able to locate reasonably priced medical insurance?

Do you think 401k is a necessity?

Do you think the wealth that you can potentially receive as an REI makes up for the lost benefits from the full time job? Meaning, can/are you able to fully finance yourself with the funds from REI (able to pay your own medical bills out of pocket, savings built up enough so you don't need 401K, etc.)

I just don't know what to expect and It would be amazing to get some insight on it so that I know what to prepare for.

Thanks BP!

[Jason D.]

@Marisa Faulkner also, make sure you account for self employment tax, which is an extra 15.3% tax on top of your regular income tax. My thought process tells me that I'll need to make 50% more than my salary to maintain the same net income level.