getting accidentally hired and finally making enough.
story: every job I’ve ever applied for in tech didn’t work out. I was a dishwasher until right before covid when someone recommended me for a cybersecurity position. Before that I had obsessed about FIRE or living in a car or being careful about too much starbucks or avocado toast… without making enough for a car or health insurance. That job paid ~half of what cybersecurity should pay, but was AMAZING. My next job paid just a hair under average, three years later. night and day, able to afford to exist without help.
financial advice be damned. I couldn’t “find” anywhere with lower rent. I was in the lowest cost of living possible regionally. What needed to change was the PRIMARY job’s income rate, not adding some side hustle. Either make rent cheaper or find a higher wage.
I’m not making enough to consider your next fancy moves like getting a house.