How about half time career or even job job and half time free lance/entr..can't spell it.  
Get the benefits through half time..at least if you work for a school district in my state.  You already mentor young women..that is very important.  could give you a stable base and then fly with your dreams the rest of the day..plus you would get SUMMERS OFF to do such fun and important things.  It is very hard to buy houses these days except in certain areas...midwest etc...not everyone can do it..it does not make you less of an adult...

I personally, and i am of Irish/Dutch/Scottish/English background...could eat a gallon of low-carb ice cream a day and not gain weigh.  For me and many others it is the carbs and not the fat..you can tell by having your insulin and your blood sugar measured..if insulin level is high (and you have to jump through hoops to get them to test it), even if blood sugar is OK..do research on metabolic syndrome which leads to diabetes, especially if it is familial...