Go on a reasoning chain with me:

- what solves the problem nicely is to sell software. Selling good software can be one of the easiest and most lucrative jobs in the world. In practice no particular employee gets that---the company pays enough to motivate, but takes the rest. The solution, then, is to be the software company.

So...start a startup? "What a novel idea Dropit, on HN of all places!" I have actually "done this" (or thought I was doing it) multiple times (failed every time), but looking back I can see a lot of trivial mistakes I made. But at least I can find some---with many code-for-hire fiascos, the mistake was taking the job in the first place.

So my conclusion: accept the job you have, for now, while saving money and trying to have a good, normal life, and put some effort into seeking out new opportunities. FU money is a thing, as is FU market position.