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Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

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Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#171

Post by maehwasu »

bradlys wrote: post #105
henkslaaf wrote: post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or you move to a more reasonable place where that money sets you for a long time.

OP is likely completely invested in the region. It's easy to say "move somewhere else" but I've done enough traveling and investigations in the rest of the USA to know that moving somewhere else would mean a huge setback in terms of career. (Which, go figure, many people here prioritize)

If you’re not able to think creatively enough to find a place in the US or the world to live off a $1-2M starting point, then early retirement probably isn’t for you.

Meant with no disrespect: some people are naturally better suited to be employee types imo. Everyone fantasizes about life on their own, but most aren’t willing to make the tradeoffs to do so.

Source: retired by 33, while making tradeoffs and living places that most of my peers would find unacceptable. To each his own.

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#172

Post by MetalGuru »

tiborsaas wrote: post #154
tempsolution wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For a few years? What kind of lifestyle do you have that a few millions only last a few years? I really doubt with that math you would have been able to save a few millions in the first place, unless you won a lottery.

I envy the bubble you live in. If you have say $3M in the bank and you spend $50k / year then it lasts you 60 years doing nothing.

Way more assuming you’re generating interest (assuming you’re not a financial idiot who’s keeping $3MM in cash)

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#173

Post by lotsofpulp »

tiborsaas wrote: post #154
tempsolution wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For a few years? What kind of lifestyle do you have that a few millions only last a few years? I really doubt with that math you would have been able to save a few millions in the first place, unless you won a lottery.

I envy the bubble you live in. If you have say $3M in the bank and you spend $50k / year then it lasts you 60 years doing nothing.

Beginning in 50s, health insurance alone is $25k per year in premiums with after tax money plus ~$13k out of pocket maximum per year.

Don’t know how a couple can afford to forego that, especially if they have assets that can be taken, the hospital will come for them.

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#174

Post by csomar »

mertnesvat wrote: post #158
sriram_malhar wrote: post #53

I quit full-time work in 2001, after being burned out in the dot com boom. I did well for myself financially after the startup I was in got bought. The phrase "well" is of course subjective, considering that no colleague of mine quit. I left a whole lot of money on the table, but never once have I regretted it. I decided that the name of the game is to optimise quality of life. That means, infrequent brutal deadlines…

Your answer is very inspiring and also perfect example for youngsters to understand money and productivity are not the only things that matters in life. I had a similar junction in my life and I selected money instead of pursuing family and academic life, now I'm starting to think maybe wasn't a good decision. I'm getting older (38) Do you mind if I ask did you also quit your job to pursue Phd? Nowadays started worki…

> I had a similar junction in my life and I selected money instead of pursuing family and academic life, now I'm starting to think maybe wasn't a good decision. I'm getting older (38)

Wasn't a good decision despite making money or wasn't a good decision because you didn't make enough?

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#175

Post by C1sc0cat »

alert0 wrote: post #29

I only made it a year. It was incredibly boring. I was the same way, enjoying side projects at home so I knew I wasn't over programming. I realized that I was not engaged with the work and prioritized that in my next (current) role. Now I'm doing hard technical work in my domain for a small shop. I'm working 50% time so I have tons of time off. The pay is less than FAANG but I'm not dreading my life everyday. I'm als…

I am assuming this was your first job out of Uni?

It takes at least your first year to get comfortable and to start being a useful employee even more so for a first job.

And you do need to realise that work is work and you need to approach it in a professional manner and not bail after9 months.

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#177

Post by tiborsaas »

lotsofpulp wrote: post #173
tiborsaas wrote: post #154

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I envy the bubble you live in. If you have say $3M in the bank and you spend $50k / year then it lasts you 60 years doing nothing.

Beginning in 50s, health insurance alone is $25k per year in premiums with after tax money plus ~$13k out of pocket maximum per year. Don’t know how a couple can afford to forego that, especially if they have assets that can be taken, the hospital will come for them.

Oh, I almost always forget how fucked up American healthcare system is. However with this much money, even a 1M stacked, one can live a happy life in anywhere in the world.

I have a friend living in Berlin working 10h / week for a SF startup remotely and meanwhile he enjoys playing music and building stuff for fun.

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#178

Post by pluma »

What you're experiencing indeed doesn't sound like burnout. It's plain old alienation. Big corporations are the prime example for this, small startups generally promise to alleviate this (though obviously this only holds true to a degree unless you hold a significant share in the company).

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx%27s_theory_of_alienation

At least having worked in Big Tech you have likely built up enough resources to be able to just do something else now, rather than being stuck in this situation until you can retire (or become physically unable to continue working).

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#179

Post by lotsofpulp »

tiborsaas wrote: post #177
lotsofpulp wrote: post #173

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Beginning in 50s, health insurance alone is $25k per year in premiums with after tax money plus ~$13k out of pocket maximum per year. Don’t know how a couple can afford to forego that, especially if they have assets that can be taken, the hospital will come for them.

Oh, I almost always forget how fucked up American healthcare system is. However with this much money, even a 1M stacked, one can live a happy life in anywhere in the world. I have a friend living in Berlin working 10h / week for a SF startup remotely and meanwhile he enjoys playing music and building stuff for fun.

Yes, if I didn’t have passive income sufficient to pay for all of my and my family’s healthcare, I wouldn’t feel economically secure in the US.

And that means at least $70k to $150k in passive income per year.

Re: Ask HN: Quitting Big Tech, what is it like?

#180

Post by C1sc0cat »

the_cat_kittles wrote: post #41

i have nothing but contempt for the industry at large, even though there are occasional companies that are not completely horseshit. its great to have the inside experience so you can speak with authority about all the ways its fucking garbage. most people here have their personalities too wrapped up in it to realize. pretty pathetic overall, but everyone's motivations and particular jobs differ, so i dont want to pa…

Id suggest you chill out and get some therapy
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