Being an academic can pay, though not necessarily well. Being a philosopher however, is widely considered an affliction that prevents one from achieving much in the way of success in academia. Questions regarding eternal verities and what you are really saying when you say 'this' are distractions from the true business of the modern academic; ensuring that the most prestigious publishing is yours and that any perishing happening near your department is happening to someone else.
It's about how much you love it, right? If you love it more than life style, that's good enough. If you love your life style more than you love philosophy, then that's another story.
I understand that there might be other complications like family, people dependant on you etc. But it all boils down to what you love and how much you love.
"Do what you love" might be better put: Make your money doing something related to what you're most passionate about.
So if you're into sex, coffee, reading, writing and travelling - write a hedonists travelling blog while you're doing it. Or move to Costa Rica and open an online boutique store where you sell only the finest local coffee to other aficionados. Or coffee and books about sex. Or create a community site (see Ravelry) where people who share your passions can mingle.
I think the idea is that doing something that feeds your passion is a reward in of itself. And because you're passionate about it you will enjoy to putting more effort in and thus have greater chance being successful.
Rather, it means: Find a career and lifestyle that is intellectually and emotionally fulfilling and make the best of it.