A man leisurely working from home
Chris Blondell values working from home over earning more.
  • Chris Blondell, an SEO strategist, turned down a high-paying job that required him to be in office.
  • He values the freedom and productivity of working from home and wasn't willing to sacrifice that.
  • Blondell later found another job that offered both benefits and the flexibility to work from anywhere.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chris Blondell, a 33-year-old SEO strategist in Philadelphia. The following has been edited for length and clarity.