I spent decades in a stressful job that paid $30,000. At 53, I left to become a mailman and nearly tripled my salary.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
A man wearing glasses against a background of photos on the wall.
Jim Lexa quit journalism after 30 years and now works as a mailman, earning over twice his previous salary.

Courtesy of Jim Lexa

I lived in Florida my entire life. Traffic, $25 cocktails, and rising rents convinced me to move out.

Tech Insider : Business, Economy, Politics
A grinning woman in a blue jumpsuit and a black puff coat holds up a peace sign while standing on a sidewalk.
Natalie Alatriste.

Courtesy of Natalie Alatriste

I was laid off from Google last month. I still haven't told my parents — and won't until I find a new job.

Tech Insider : Business, Style
Jason Zhang in front of trees
After his layoff from Google, Jason Zhang says he can't afford to take a career break, but he's not applying to jobs quite yet.

Jason Zhang

I'm a 62-year-old paralegal who turned my needlepoint hobby into a side hustle. Gen Z are some of my best customers.

Tech Insider : Business, Climate Crisis
Kevin Lustik doing needlepoint
Kevin Lustik is a New York City-based needlepoint artist.

Kevin Lustik

I found out I didn't get a job from a Facebook post. I told the employer it was wrong not to tell me directly.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman is sitting in front of a computer on a desk.
Jenna Hoffman

Jenna Hoffman

I was happy at Apple, but I burned out after becoming a manager. I took a career break at 30 and have no regrets.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Environment
Meredith Meyer
Meredith Meyer

Carrie Kizuka Photography

I burned out at my VC job, so I opened a Pilates studio. I work more now — but it feels good to not have to say 'yes.'

Tech Insider : Business
A woman in navy exercise outfit stands in front of white shelves, smiling at camera
Anna Noelle Rinke said she felt like she always had to say "yes" when she worked a corporate job.

Anna Noelle Rinke

I left Florida to retire in New York City at 62. Living in a bustling city keeps me feeling young.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman and a man clink glasses at a restaurant and pose for a selfie.
Karen Meadows and her husband, James.

Courtesy of Karen Meadows

I was put on a PIP at Amazon and took an offer to leave. I thought finding a new job would be easy — I was wrong.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Nicholas Jenkins
Nicholas Jenkins

Nicholas Jenkins

We bought our fixer-upper rental for $100,000 to tackle renovations. It wasn't pretty, but now it feels like home.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman standing in front of a newly renovated home.
Christina Sciblo bought the home she rented for years, and started fixing it up immediately.

Courtesy of Christina Sciblo

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