I retired at 52 and only have enough money to be financially secure for the next year. I'm still happy with my decision

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Walter Green standing outdoors with a blazer and red baseball cap.
Walter Green decided to retire early after both of his parents passed away.

Photo courtesy of Walter Green

I grew my investment portfolio to over $1 million in 10 years. Even during a recession, these 3 tactics worked for me.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Technology
Bola Sokunbi posing and smiling.
Financial educator Bola Sokunbi said it's really important, even if you're working full time, to have other sources of income.

Virten Media

I quit a director-level job to work part-time at a massage therapy office. It was the best career move I've ever made.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
a woman poses at her desk with a laptop of a pen
Carole-Ann Penney.

Jessie Wyman Photography

I'm a federal employee watching colleagues get laid off by DOGE. It's been devastating — we aren't cogs, we're human beings.

Tech Insider : Business
A photo collage of a gentleman in a forest scene with layoff imagery

Crispin la valiente/Getty, DNY59/Getty, Tyler Le/BI

I'm a former recruiter for Google and Indeed. If I were labeled an underperformer, here's what I'd do next.

Tech Insider : Business
headshot of a woman in a green top
Erica Rivera spent three years at Indeed as a recruiter and around two years at Google.

Sebastian Rivera

I grew up poor and now make $150K in tech. Prioritizing myself allowed me to give back to my parents and family.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
a family of five poses around a dinner table
Viviana Vazquez, middle, and her family.

Viviana Vazquez

I'm still looking for a job 8 months after my layoff. I have 20 years of experience and can't get hired — I'm scared.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
woman applying to jobs
Jennifer Gittelman says one regret may be holding her back from getting hired.

Maria Korneeva/Getty Images

How Gen Z turned awkward holiday photos into viral gold for JCPenney Portrait Studios

Tech Insider : Business, Economy
Jenny Powers, her husband and daughter pose for an awkward holiday photo in blue Hanukah themed sweaters looking into a light source off to the left/
The awkward holiday photo trend made up 30% of holiday photos at JCPenney Portrait Studios in 2024.

Courtesy of Jenny Powers/JCPenney Portrait Studios by Lifetouch

I grew up poor and now make $150K in tech. Prioritizing myself allowed me to give back to my parents and family.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
a family of five poses around a dinner table
Viviana Vazquez, middle, and her family.

Viviana Vazquez

My children don't get presents — I invest for them instead. Teaching them financial literacy is more important.

Tech Insider : Business
Nicole Chan Loeb
Nicole Chan Loeb and her husband choose to invest money for their children rather than giving them physical presents on holidays and birthdays.

Daniel Ebersole

Subscribe to BI-freelancer