Ben
Forgive me butting into the conversation here - I started my basic PPL (A) training at the beginning of the year and have managed to accumulate approx 24hrs flying and 4 exams to date. I too am looking to move onto bigger and better things as regards flying but also need to work at present to fund the flying and pay the mortgage.
I am looking at taking the ATPL route after the PPL and hour building and then move on to do the FI course. I know that it will take a year or two but these are my intentions. I am at present 32 and have little or no aspiration to fly a pressurised cigar tube of 18-30's to their next bevvy session. If things went awry and there were few FI posts available then I would look to do charter work if at all possible but still keep my eyes open for an instructing post. The pay may not be great but after spending 16 years working in IT and getting little thanks etc it would be doing something that I enjoy and being able to send people off on their first solos must be exhilarating to say the least if not a little nerve wracking!!
Thats my tuppence - I'll get off the podium now and let someone else offer their wisdom!!!
Take care
Dave