I took a 50% paycut when I got laid off from Meta and started a coaching business. The transition was hard, but I feel better all around.
THE SO WHAT
High-comp tech roles are no longer a one-way ratchet—people are trading cash for autonomy and geography arbitrage. For retention, you’re competing less with rival FAANG offers and more with lifestyle pivots, so flexibility and meaningful work matter as much as comp bands.
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