I started work when I was 14 as dishwasher boy for family friends parents restaurant to now doing IT career at 30. I have been recently let go, though the job was paying me well, it was a toxic environment. I got into my IT career at 21 doing non paid internship. At age 24, I job hopped 6 times because I hated working for my bosses.
I had to find a way out and realized I would kill and hate myself working until I am 62 or something.
I was let go two weeks ago, but I already had an exit plan way before. LUCKILY, Being Japanese and Filipino has many pros. I am able to leave this country. I have saved and invested well and can finally retire at age 30 with my wife outside America.
Every day I worked, I felt like I wasn’t really living. I realized that being in America, this place is good for making money and after that you leave if you can. If any of you can somehow retire early, I highly suggest leaving the country to much lower cost of living countries like Bali or Philippines. $1500 a month goes very far and can live a luxurious life.
I am in the process to moving to japan. Health care is cheaper and provide better care. They pay you money back if you over pay to make sure you don’t go bankrupt. Japan is cheaper compared to NYC/NJ where I currently live. $3k a month for a single person can live comfortably. And if Japan doesn’t work then I will go to Philippines.. right next door. $2 -3k a month you can hire a chef or maid or driver.
Hopefully I didn’t offend anyone. I just been meaning to leave this place. (My mother brought me here thinking of better opportunities back in 2001, I have been meaning to go back to Japan now that I am 30 and raising a newborn daughter and japan would be a perfect place to raise her.)