I might get shit on for saying this here, but I agree with you that it's very difficult to make a decent living on fully "free" software.
I've had orgs not bat at an eye paying a few thousand for a software license if there are justifiable productivity returns and the license is required for us to continue to use the software.
If that license is not required, we would never give you a dime. It's sad, but true. Those few thousand, to many companies, are pennies on the dollar. Just price it graciously so you don't leave the little guys out.
You'll get grumbles but do what you need to survive if you want to do this full time and for a living. God knows you, of all people, have earned it.
I've had orgs not bat at an eye paying a few thousand for a software license if there are justifiable productivity returns and the license is required for us to continue to use the software.
If that license is not required, we would never give you a dime. It's sad, but true. Those few thousand, to many companies, are pennies on the dollar. Just price it graciously so you don't leave the little guys out.
You'll get grumbles but do what you need to survive if you want to do this full time and for a living. God knows you, of all people, have earned it.