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☆ My wife makes $500,000 a year and I'm a stay-at-home dad. It's been difficult to fit in with the mom crowd.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-24 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ken Mac, a 43-year-old stay-at-home dad in the Chicago area. AdvertisementWhen I told my coworkers I was resigning to become a stay-at-home dad, they were shocked that I'd leave such a well-paying job. Related storiesHowever, I feel the impact and reward of my job as a stay-at-home dad more than I did as an engineer. It also underscores the demands of being a stay-at-home parent — there are no breaks, no sick days, and no PTO. This always prompts a pause before I reveal I'm a stay-at-home dad.

Persons: —, Ken Mac, It's, Andrea, I've, I'd, wasn't, Ken, isn't, aren't, would've, Lauryn Haas Organizations: Service, Business, lhaas@businessinsider.com Locations: Chicago

☆ Leaving India and working in tech in the US changed me. I feel too foreign here and too foreign there.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-22 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It was because I knew that working in Big Tech in Silicon Valley would change me into a different person and I'd never move back. It's been 11 years since then, and I think I've gotten happier with my life here now that I've worked at a few different jobs in Big Tech. But despite this, working in the US suits me better than working in India because of my individualistic mindset. Some people back home think very competitively — they've hinted that they think I'm just plain lucky, and if they had the opportunity, they'd do it too and much better. Even if I had all the resources to go back to India, it'd be different — I've grown apart from who I was.

Persons: Uday Padyana, I'd, It's, I've, India I've, I'm, it's, they've, there's, —, haven't, would've, India I'm, could've, it'd, Jeff Bezos's, Jane Zhang Organizations: Service, Big Tech, Big, Business, PayPal, Uber Locations: Silicon Valley, India, Big Tech, Silicon, Atlanta, Washington , DC, American, janezhang@businessinsider.com

☆ Dating in Silicon Valley is hard. I want to be married and have kids, but Big Tech is holding me back.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-10 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I work at a FAANG tech company and have been an employee and manager at three other Big Tech firms over the last 10 years. Working in Big Tech has taken a major toll on my dating and personal life. Now that I'm more interested in dating, I'm finding it very difficult. Related storiesReturning to the office meant my dating life was suddenly limited to one geographical area, and my previous dating plans went kaput. Is your Big Tech job affecting your dating life?

Persons: —, I, I'd, I've, I'm, haven't, Lauryn Haas Organizations: Service, Big Tech, Business, Amazon, lhaas@businessinsider.com Locations: Silicon Valley, East, New York, West Coast, Boston, Bay

☆ I was shocked to be laid off from my tech job — but I quickly realized it was a dream come true
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. I completed a 3.5-year apprenticeship as a media designer and engineer, and I've been in the tech industry since I was 15. Leaving so quickly wouldn't have been possible without the support of our LA friends, who helped us in many ways. Courtesy of Lucas FrischmannI came up with this idea as I struggled to keep up with all my connections. AdvertisementIf you were laid off from a tech company and want to share your story, please email Manseen Logan at mlogan@businessinsider.com.

Persons: —, Lucas Frischmann, It's, I've, Frischmann, it's, I'd, Manseen Logan Organizations: Service, Twitter, Meta, Business Locations: Los Angeles, Asia, Vietnam, Italy, Taiwan, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Europe, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Bangkok, Amalfi Coast, Bali , Indonesia, mlogan@businessinsider.com

☆ I'm a female breadwinner who retired my husband. I was worried I'd resent him, but I'm a better leader and wife because of it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

I started making money in the first two years of my business, but I didn't make as much money as I thought I would. As my business grew, I started to make more money than my husbandI realized I was making more money than my husband in a tax meeting. AdvertisementOnce he became a firefighter, my husband made about $100,000 a year. I can move anywhere with my job, but it wasn't easy for my husband to move to another state. My husband told me he wishes he could reverse roles and succeed at my level, but that's not our reality.

Persons: Amy Porterfield, It's, Tony Robbins, Tony, would've, He's, wasn't, it's, I'd, that's, I'm Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Nashville, California, Tennessee

☆ I left the Bay Area and moved countries for a tech job — and I'm 100 times happier and less stressed now than I was in Silicon Valley
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementI didn't work in tech when I lived in the Bay Area, but I do nowIn the Bay Area, I worked in marketing and graphic design and did off-and-on work in café management and the brewing industry. The Bay Area didn't fit into his free-spirit mentality, and he also needed a change. In the Bay Area, there was no getting into a job like this "by accident" for me. Moving out of the Bay Area felt like someone turned all the heat off before I boiled to deathWhen I left the Bay Area, I received the type of inner peace I never thought possible. Even people who stayed there feel the same way, they no longer live in that Bay Area, either.

Persons: —, Agata Pona, It's, we'd, would've, didn't, couldn't, joggers, Manseen Logan Organizations: Service, SUSO Digital, San Francisco Bay Area, Business, Whole Foods, Poland —, Stanford, Big Tech, Salvadoran Locations: Area, Poland, San Francisco Bay, Poznań, Silicon Valley, California, Portland , Arizona, Texas, Bay, mlogan@businessinsider.com

☆ I made over $500,000 last year, but I refuse to pay for my daughter's tuition. It's not a decision I made lightly.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Despite this income, my husband and I have not agreed to — nor do we plan to — pay for the college tuition of our oldest daughter, a sophomore at the University of Iowa. If they spent our money on tuition, we'd need a say in that decision. This decision aligns with our commitment to avoid debt and maintain a healthy financial position, which benefits our entire family. Committing to paying for one child's college education means we must do the same for all of them to maintain fairness. Evaluating whether to pay for our kids' college tuition was a challenging decision, but it's rooted in our desire to foster autonomy, responsibility, and financial prudence.

Persons: —, Andrea Mac, It's, I've, we've, don't, we're, they've, We've, We're Organizations: Service, University of Iowa, Business, Investment Education Locations: Greater Chicago

☆ I refuse to pay my daughter's college tuition even though I made over $500,000 last year
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Despite this income, my husband and I have not agreed to — nor do we plan to — pay for the college tuition of our oldest daughter, a sophomore at the University of Iowa. To be fair, we've decided that we, as parents, don't get to choose which college our children attend. With rising tuition costs, my husband and I think it's essential to evaluate whether the outcomes in terms of ROI justify the financial outlay for college. Committing to paying for one child's college education means we must do the same for all of them to maintain fairness. Evaluating whether to pay for our kids' college tuition was a challenging decision, but it's rooted in our desire to foster autonomy, responsibility, and financial prudence.

Persons: —, Andrea Mac, It's, I've, we've, don't, we're, they've, We've, We're Organizations: Service, University of Iowa, Business Locations: Greater Chicago

☆ I've lived in LA, San Francisco, NYC, and Chicago. I thought moving to LA would be easy, but there are 5 things I hate about living here.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I moved to Los Angeles about five years ago from San Francisco, and I previously lived in New York City and Chicago. LA lacks great parks compared to other cities like San Francisco and New York City. It doesn't feel urban the way cities like NYC or SF do — I don't feel an urban buzz or excitement. I don't feel any sense of communityI don't feel a strong sense of community in LA. Because it's such a driving culture, I don't interact with people as much as I do in other cities I've lived in.

Persons: —, Stevie Howell, It's, I've, Frederic Olmstead, Manseen Logan Organizations: Service, Business, San Francisco and New Locations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, California, LA, Venice, San Francisco and, San Francisco and New York City, Southern California, mlogan@businessinsider.com

☆ I quit my Big Tech dream job to work for myself. I loved the perks and the 6-figure salary, but the hustle culture wasn't worth it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

I always wanted to work in Big Tech, and when I graduated from college, I made it happen. Working in Big Tech has lots of perksI loved learning how each of these big companies operated. Related storiesI realized I was just making big companies more money. The people around me would only talk about other tech companies and tech advancements and only hang out with other tech workers. Since leaving Big Tech, I feel like a new personI'm so much happier now.

Persons: —, Jean Kang, who's, It's, Pinterest, overdeliver, I'm, I'd, hustles, I've, would've Organizations: Service, Meta, Intuit, LinkedIn, Big Tech, Business, Big Locations: San Francisco, Big, Big Tech, Japan, Korea

☆ I left my career in Big Tech and $300,000 a year to work for myself. I no longer have anxiety and am so much happier.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

☆ I left San Francisco and moved to LA. Here are the 5 worst things about leaving the Bay Area.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementEven though LA is much larger than San Francisco, LA doesn't feel urban, while San Francisco does. Here's what I felt were the five worst things about leaving the San Francisco Bay Area and moving to LA. AdvertisementAs an artist and business owner, I founded my eco-friendly textile and wallpaper collection business in San Francisco in 2013. I miss San Francisco's culture and philanthropic spiritLiving in San Francisco, I found that many of its businesses have a good environmental or social mission. But I believe, for the most part, San Francisco still has the same caring heart and soul it's had for years.

Persons: —, Stevie Howell, It's, I've, Francisco —, Jessica Silverman, Rebecca Camacho, would've, it's, Crissy, I, Manseen Logan Organizations: Service, Business, San, San Francisco Bay Area, Minnesota, National Parks Conservancy, Area Locations: Los Angeles, San Francisco, LA, It's, San Francisco , LA, San Francisco Bay, Mandalay, Francisco, Bernal Heights Hill, Dolores Park, Ocean, Stinson Beach, Angel, mlogan@businessinsider.com

☆ I was put on a PIP at a top tech company. I saw the warning signs but it was still traumatic — here's how I bounced back.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Two years into my second role, I was placed on a performance improvement plan (PIP). To cope, I leaned more on my side hustle, which fueled me creatively but also impacted my work performance at times. AdvertisementMy PIP experience ultimately left me feeling disheartenedBeing put on a PIP solidified the reality that employees are expendable. The PIP wasn't the sole reason, but it did accelerate my thinking.

Persons: —, I'd, wasn't, didn't, Tapping Organizations: Service, Business, SMART Locations: San Francisco

☆ I quit my job with nothing else lined up and in a terrible job market. I have no regrets.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

AdvertisementThe management style made the job difficultAt the beginning of my career journey, I tried many different things. Ultimately, I quit after less than a year without any job lined up. I left my problematic job during a bad job market, which greatly stressed me. Mental health is beyond important, but it's also important to have a sense of financial security during these tough times. I also recommend that workers continuously look toward future job opportunities and look at their careers as a staircase.

Persons: —, Basant Shenouda, It's, I've, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Big Tech Locations: Dublin

☆ I got a job and immediately knew it wasn't a good fit. I quit in less than a year to take care of my mental health.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Basant Shenouda, 27, is one of LinkedIn's biggest career content creators. She once quit a toxic job after less than a year in a tough market and with nothing else lined up. I'm a Gen-Zer and one of LinkedIn's biggest career content creators. Mental health is beyond important, but it's also important to have a sense of financial security during these tough times. I also recommend that workers continuously look toward future job opportunities and look at their careers as a staircase.

Persons: Basant Shenouda, —, It's, I've, it's Organizations: Service, Big Tech Locations: Dublin

☆ I was laid off from Lyft and it was a relief. Here's exactly how I used my severance to land somewhere better.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-12 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Here are the best ways I spent my severance package. Related storyI put $3,000 from the severance package directly toward the business for basic costs to get my idea off the ground. My severance package gave me the chance to attend conferences and events and make connections that guided my next career move. I also used severance funds to join professional organizations related to my new field, giving me networking opportunities and industry resources. My severance package became a pivotal resource not just to weather the immediate storm of my job loss, but for starting a new career narrative.

Persons: Li, —, Ziwei Li, It's, I'd, I've Organizations: Service, Wei, San Diego Zoo Locations: California, San Diego, LA, La Jolla

☆ I went from making $15K to nearly $700K over my career at Oracle, Apple, and Meta. Here's how I increased my total compensation.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

My salary journey in Big Tech has seen my total compensation — which includes base salary, bonuses, and stocks — increase from $15,000 in 2012 to $685,000 in 2024. I'm a staff software engineer and have worked at three different tech companies, moving from Oracle to Apple to Meta. In California, labor laws make it illegal for employers to ask you about your current salary and salary history. That could involve switching from a non-tech job to a tech job or taking a short-term hit for long-term gain. Unless the employer offers a significant pay bump along the way, total compensation usually takes a drop after this vesting period.

Persons: Sandeep Rao, —, I'm, I've, it's, Glassdoor, haven't, Jane Zhang Organizations: Meta, Apple, Oracle, Service, Business, Big Tech, Microsoft, Carnegie Mellon University, Grad, Employers, Carnegie Mellon Locations: San Jose , California, India, Pittsburgh, Cupertino , California, Menlo Park , California, California, janezhang@businessinsider.com

☆ After 11 years as a digital nomad, living in 60 countries, I'm settling in Mexico. It fits my lifestyle and business goals.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

In 2021, I moved to Guanajuato, Mexico. Dixon posing in front of Grüner See, a lake in Styria, Austria Courtesy of Hannah DixonI'm American and British. Friends, who were fellow digital nomads, suggested we consider moving to Guanajuato, Mexico. Dixon and wife Kim Gorchs, on a colorful street in Guanajuato, Mexico. But I learned that renting a place to live in Mexico is a million times easier once you're on the ground.

Persons: —, Hannah Dixon, It's, Dixon, it's, who's, Hannah Dixon I'm, Brexit, I, Kim Gorchs, I'd, I've, Animales, we've, we'll Organizations: Service, Virtual Excellence Academy, Business, Kansas City, National Institute of Migration, Facebook, Sun Locations: Mexico, Bangkok, New York, France, Budapest, Hungary, Guanajuato, Austria, Graz, Styria, Mexican, Kansas City, Kansas, Teotihuacan, Mexico City

☆ I'm a business owner and 6-figure earner. Here's how my stay-at-home husband and I handle the kids and 'chore wars.'
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . My husband handles 90% of our home life while I earn 100% of our family's income: I'm the family's breadwinner. For the last seven years, my husband has been a stay-at-home dad for our four children — ages 19, 14, 7, and 5. This grueling period tested my resilience and our family dynamics, particularly as my husband stepped up to manage our home life solo.

Persons: Andrea Mac, —, It's, I've, We're Organizations: Service Locations: Greater Chicago

☆ 13 signs your Hermès bag is a fake, from a luxury reseller who's trained to spot counterfeits
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Alexis Clarbour has been buying and selling Hermès bags for a decade and knows how to spot a fake. I took an operations role at an e-commerce marketplace called Portero, where my passion for luxury handbags, specifically Hermès bags, began. Under a loupe, the engraving may look chiseled and not as smooth as a genuine Hermès bag. Serial codeEvery Hermès bag has a serial code inside the bag. There are no deals — if someone offers a new Hermès bag below market in the secondary market, I'd recommend staying away.

Persons: Alexis Clarbour, authenticating, It's, Chanel, reselling, Hermès, —, we've, Kelly, Birkin, they've, it's, sloppily, there's, Le Duc, Price, I'd Organizations: Madison Avenue Couture, Nasdaq, MAC, Madison Avenue, Madison Locations: New York City, Hermès

☆ The 3 worst things virtual assistants have to deal with and how to avoid them, according to a successful VA coach
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Hannah Dixon, a virtual assistant coach, discusses the three worst parts of the profession. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Hannah Dixon, a 36-year-old virtual assistant coach, recruiter, and founder of The Virtual Excellence Academy, living in Mexico. After "falling" into becoming a virtual assistant 10 years ago, I did the job for years juggling admin, tech, and creative tasks for clients worldwide. While virtual administrative assistant work is a very needed service, it's just one piece of a large and ever-expanding puzzle. Are you a virtual assistant and would like to share your story?

Persons: Hannah Dixon, Dixon, VAs, —, It's, who've, upskilling —, it's, I've, Logan Organizations: Service, Virtual Excellence Academy, VAs Locations: Mexico, VAs, mlogan@businessinsider.com

☆ My husband was willing to sacrifice his career to be a stay-at-home parent, but I wasn't. Here are the best and worst parts of our arrangement.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-12 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Andrea Mac is a growth strategist, and her husband has been a stay-at-home dad for seven years. She says one of the worst parts of the arrangement is the tug-of-war between her kids and job. I have four children, ages 19, 14, 7, and 5 — and while I'm the family's breadwinner, my husband has been a stay-at-home dad for the last seven years. That said, being a breadwinner in my marriage while my husband is a stay-at-home dad has pros and cons. These are the five hardest, worst, and most triggering things about being a breadwinner with a stay-at-home husband.

Persons: Andrea Mac, Mac, —, He's, she's, I'm, it's, Claudia Goldin's Pulitzer, haven't Organizations: Service Locations: Greater Chicago

☆ I moved to NYC right after college to work in fashion — but people were unfriendly and my dream turned into a nightmare
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Julia Fernsby moved to New York City from Ireland right after college to work in fashion. Her dream job was not what she envisioned, and the city felt overwhelming and unfriendly. Right after college, I moved to take what I thought was my dream job in New York City. My New York dream had turned into a nightmareI was alone when I woke up, alone when I ate lunch, alone at work, alone at home. My college mentor and I went out for a coffee and she suggested I do extensive research on what kind of job I'd enjoy.

Persons: Julia Fernsby, —, It's, who'd, Regina George, I'd Organizations: Service, Vogue, Central Park, Skype Locations: New York City, Ireland, Cohasset , Massachusetts, I've, Boston, New York, Central, Howth, Dublin, Brooklyn, Manhattan, York, Central Park

☆ I moved to Denver and regretted it because it was freezing, expensive, and hard to make friends. I'm much happier now living in Spain.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Michiels then moved to Spain and finds it easier to make friends. AdvertisementAdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Eric Michiels, a 51-year-old a former resident of Denver, Colorado, about his experience living in Denver. I moved to Denver, Colorado in May 2021 from Atlanta, Georgia because of a job decision. I had a Toyota Prius, and because Denver is extremely hilly, the car couldn't make it; it was too slippery. Some things are more expensive here — for example cars and technology — but the day to day is a lot cheaper.

Persons: Eric Michiels, Michiels, —, It's, I'd, didn't, there's, Jenna Gyimesi Organizations: Service, Toyota Prius, Denver, Visa, Healthcare Locations: Atlanta, Denver, Spain, Denver , Colorado, Atlanta , Georgia, Colorado, Colorado Denver, Lakewood, Malaga, jgyimesi@insider.com

☆ I'll never regret living in Europe after giving birth. I got way better maternity leave and my American friends envied me.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementWhen my first child was born, I found myself faced with the harsh reality of no guaranteed maternity leave in the US. And, while the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives eligible employees 12 weeks of unpaid leave, I wasn't eligible for that. It was one of those non-negotiable parts of American work culture that I felt I had to accept. But if there's a standard of maternity leave throughout the country and company, it makes it much easier to find coverage for those nine or more months. When my maternity leave ended and I asked the school to take another year off — this time without pay but with continued job security — they were 100% understanding.

Persons: Esther Strauss, —, I'd, Europe —, doesn't, Jenna Gyimesi Organizations: Service, Europe Locations: North Macedonia, Europe, Texas, United States, jgyimesi@Insider.com

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