I wouldn't know where to begin on the self-publishing side. I know the editing would have to be sterling. And the marketing would have to be a really good plan too. I don't know if I could afford it either. That fear of not breaking even or making a profit, I'd be heartbroken and feel bad I put my family in dept. We live paycheck to paycheck, that's it. There really is no room after the bills and groceries are paid.
Writing is an obsession for me. I've tried to give it up, it won't let me. Plus I need to just write regardless what happens to it, otherwise I'll go manic. So it does have it's uses. I have relaxed on submitting things though. I'm supposed to develop thick skin, instead it sheds just a little more each time.