I traded software engineering for 17-hour work days as a prawn noodle hawker. It's lonely, hot, and somehow rewarding.

Tech Insider : Business
Alvin Tan decided to take a break from software development and started a prawn noodle stall.
Alvin Tan decided to take a break from software development and started a prawn noodle stall.

Aditi Bharade

I got two grants to put $15,000 toward buying my first home. Incentive programs are my favorite hack for homeownership.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman sitting on the porch of a home in Baltimore.
Kourtnee Turner bought her first home in Maryland after stacking homebuying incentives offered by the state.

Courtesy of Kourtnee Turner

I divorced my husband, and 6 months later, I met my girlfriend. We are celebrating Thanksgiving with both our families this year.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Woman posing for photo
Lace Larrabee divorced her ex and met her girlfriend.

Courtesy of Lace Larrabee

We're Americans who've traveled to 12 countries this year doing the 'Schengen shuffle.' Here's how it works.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Eric and Christina Schwendeman
Eric and Christina Schwendeman practice the "Schengen shuffle."

Eric and Christina Schwendeman

I'm a sales recruiter, and 2 of my best hires were weak interviews. Here's why I gave them jobs anyway.

Tech Insider : Business
Gregg Salkovitch crossing arms
Gregg Salkovitch said no one wanted to take a chance on him when he transitioned from sales to recruiting.

Gregg Salkovitch

I was scared when I quit my $700k job — but taking the risk taught me an important lesson about money and happiness

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Jay Gengelbach
Gengelbahc quit his job at Verily in mid-2024

Courtesy of Suzanne Tadros Photography; BI

My parents and siblings are doctors, but I became a toy inventor. My company raised $5 million this year.

Tech Insider : Business
Sydney Wiseman headshot
Sydney Wiseman invented Fingerlings.

Courtesy of Sydney Wiseman

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. My 9-year-old and I are learning how to care for her together.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
A woman with her son and mom sitting on a trolley car
Lamia Scott with her son, Braxton, and mom, Marvia.

Courtesy of Lamia Scott

I'm the founder and CEO of a luxury bean company. I start my day with coffee and end it with a hot bath.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman sits in a kitchen and eats baked beans.
Amelia Christie-Miller founded Bold Bean Co. in 2021.

Rae Finn

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Amelia Christie-Miller, the 32-year-old founder and CEO of Bold Bean Co. She is from the UK and based in Barcelona. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

I never imagined retiring abroad. Life on a Southeast Asian island feels like a permanent holiday.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
A woman leaning against a stone railing in Penang, Malaysia.
Lisa Williams moved from Australia to Penang, Malaysia, when she retired.

Thinnesh Kumar for Business Insider.

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