I've actually had the same thought about that, plus the 'job' factor as well (or kids, or anything else). Meaning, there's only so much time available -- does not having to divvy it up between as many different factors provide any seeming advantage, or is it negligible?

Speaking for myself, I know I definitely had progress hindered by my pesky jobs (god, they pay you and they suddenly think they own your time or something! geez, the nerve!), and a few times where family obligations took a huge cut out of my week -- I thought more than once that doing Idol when I was back in college (not that it existed, lo those many years ago) would have been much easier time-wise. ;)