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Ask HN: I want to leave tech: what do I do?

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164 points todsacerdoti | 2 comments | 04 Jul 25 13:58 UTC | HN request time: 0.503s | source
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gdbsjjdn ◴[04 Jul 25 14:36 UTC] No.44464946[source]▶
If you want to leave tech you should save up for 4-5 years of expenses to accomodate for under-employment, downsize your lifestyle to fit a household income under 80k, and then reskill in another field.

I have tried to move away incrementally from the tech industry by working less and consulting, and it is not effective. There's simply nothing else you can do that pays as well for so little effort. It draws you back in like a tarpit because there's always more work to do. Committing to a clean break and immersing yourself in a new field seems like the better approach.

replies(1): >>44480692 #
1. OjotCewIo ◴[06 Jul 25 13:35 UTC] No.44480692[source]▶
Assuming that you save 1/3rd of your monthly net income, and spend only 2/3rds of it on expenses -- which I believe is already beyond what most people can do --, and that you are already frugal (which means that you don't have easily cuttable expenses [*]), you'd need to save twice as long as you planned to live off of those savings. If you wanted a buffer for 4-5 years, you'd need to pinch every penny for 8-10 years, and do that -- presumably -- while you are in your thirties, and raising kids. This can work, but mostly as an exception, I think.

[*] I don't consider expenses that improve health and lifestyle "cuttable" -- organic food, locally produced meat, food supplements / vitamins, therapy, dentist, gym / sports, etc. I've recently learned that even holiday trips (which are insanely expensive, assuming you are not from the US, to the point of being financially injustifiable) are crucial for mental and marital health.

replies(1): >>44501037 #
2. gdbsjjdn ◴[08 Jul 25 15:38 UTC] No.44501037[source]▶
If you don't consider any expenses "cuttable" you're not downsizing. Especially taking expensive vacations? I travel a couple times a year domestically by driving and it's very manageable.