Thanks for sharing, Aestu.
I figured there were large sums of money to be made with mats/items in the "hard to level" points of professions like enchanting, I did not know level 80 stuff could be so lucrative though. As a priest, soloing was always a bit challenging. and I could never do things at the speed of a Pally or DK. I did solo Doomwalker once when I found him...checked for him every time I logged on for the next month and never saw him again.
I remember when I was an enchanter and had quite a few recipes, and I relied on tips...people's good will (big mistake). I even came up with a little rhyme to spam in Trade Chat which help separate myself from competitors.
...I often went unpaid for it, and even lost money as sometimes I'd kindly provide someone with an extra essence or shard if they were one short....and they still wouldn't tip.
From what you've told me, it seems my herb farming and mining (had an alt with mining) was a waste of time and not the best economic investment. Makes sense given competition with bots, and the general slowness of it all.
The biggest thing you did though I think was plan and calculate much better. I was careless with gold in general, both acquiring and spending. I'd have times of feast and times of famine where I could barely afford cloth repair bills due to frivolous spending. Thankfully I play real life finances a bit more carefully.
