"You have to figure out a way to have your basic needs taken care of first, then play time comes"

I thought I was pretty clear about that. Coming up with a plan for basic survival (food, shelter, health, power, etc) comes before you decide to dedicate yourself to project/passion X.

Not once did I suggest that his survival was "playtime", but he seems to have substituted coming up with a basic life plan first, and instead has devoted all his time to "play" (stuff above and beyond basic survival needs).