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An engineer switched jobs at a high cost to avoid returning to office

Feb 20, 2025 - businessinsider.com
Eliana Vornov, a senior machine learning engineer from Washington, D.C., transitioned to a lower-paying remote job after her previous employer mandated a return to the office. Although her salary remained similar, she faced significant reductions in bonuses and stock options, resulting in a $60,000 decrease in total compensation. Despite these financial drawbacks, Vornov values the time and money saved from not commuting, as well as the improved 401(k) match at her new company. Her commute previously cost her $14 daily and over an hour each way, but now she only commutes once a month with minimal costs.

The job switch prompted Vornov to become more proactive in managing her finances. She now collaborates with a fiduciary CFP® professional to optimize her financial strategies, including increasing her monthly brokerage account transfers and investing in a mutual fund for a future home down payment. Additionally, she is bolstering her emergency fund in response to the volatile tech job market. Vornov's financial planning aims to ensure stability and comfort, particularly in the expensive D.C. housing market, while preparing for potential job market uncertainties.

Key takeaways:

  • Eliana Vornov switched to a lower-paying remote job to avoid returning to the office, sacrificing bonuses and stock options.
  • She saved significant time and money by eliminating her daily commute, which previously cost her around $14 in fares and over $50,000 in unpaid travel time annually.
  • Vornov's financial approach shifted, leading her to work with a financial planner and increase her monthly brokerage account transfers from $1,000 to $3,000.
  • She is actively saving for a new home and increasing her emergency fund due to the current tech job market's instability.
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