Reclaiming My Life from the Grips of a 9-5 Job
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Chapter 1: The Corporate Greed Era
Welcome to an age defined by corporate avarice!
It's true: my employment with a colossal tech firm, boasting a market cap exceeding 1.4 trillion dollars, is draining my resources.
We’re losing out on money, time, opportunities for advancement, and clarity—let's delve into these issues.
Section 1.1: Pay Raises: A Distant Memory
What kind of raise did you receive this year? Did you even receive one?
As for me, my raise amounted to a staggering 0%, while the company celebrated record-breaking revenues and a stock price increase of over 42%.
When adjusted for inflation, this translates to me effectively earning about 4.1% less in 2024 compared to 2023.
Section 1.2: The Reality of Layoffs
Ah, but I should feel fortunate to have a job, right?
Not necessarily. This past year, five colleagues from my team were let go, and none were replaced, all while our project demands skyrocketed.
Currently, my team is handling four times the workload with half the personnel.
Have deadlines been extended? No. Have we received pay increases to reflect this extra burden? No. Are promotions on the horizon? No, those have been put on hold.
Chapter 2: My Game Plan
In the video "Your 9-5 Job Is ROBBING You Of Your Life... [How To Quit A 9-5 Forever]," the speaker discusses the pitfalls of traditional employment and offers insights on how to escape the grind.
Here’s what I plan to do:
Stay calm and avoid rash decisions.
Continue performing my duties while staying under the radar.
Many companies, including mine, have undergone substantial layoffs recently, which often come with hefty severance costs.
Reducing pay for long-term employees who command higher salaries can be a strategic move to encourage them to exit voluntarily, thus saving the company on severance.
Build up my cash reserves.
While I maintain a six-month emergency fund, I hope to avoid using it. Given the current job instability, having a cushion of liquid assets is wise.
Regain control over my income.
I must remember that the company is not a family; it’s a business driven by profits. I am merely a replaceable part in this machine.
This realization keeps me grounded and focused on nurturing additional income streams beyond my job.
Don’t allow your career or employer to define your identity. Prioritize what truly matters to you in life and hold onto it tightly.
The second video, "F*CK having a 9 to 5 job. I QUIT," encapsulates the frustrations many face in traditional employment and the urge to break free from it.
About the Author
I’m Ethan Ginsberg, a tech employee from the San Francisco Bay Area, striving to carve out my own path to financial independence. I enjoy sharing my experiences with passive income and reflecting on the lessons learned from my failures.
For more stories detailing my journey through successes and setbacks, check out the Brag Board publication!