[aixguy]

Not in your situations at all but have changed carrers. However my switch was to something that would make me more money and still provide the benifits. My wife was working full time then as well. She is now no longer working (taking some time off) and wants the best heath insurance that money can buy, not that it is all the great. This cost is $620 a month for one adult. You will no longer be in a "Group" so even the cheap stuff is not cheap anymore. If I were you, I would look for a new day job with benifits, take the buy out and pay down your debts and keep painting as a side job. Of course I am not the kind of person that would want the responsability of running my own business.. you on the other hand my like that. At the very least you need to have acurate health insurance quotes for the family and know what all the rest of your living expenses will be, if you think you can swing that evey month with room to spare, take some business classes get the business plan together and go for it.
Good luck in whatever you do!