[report-to-trees]

Most small shop tech jobs in smaller cities pay very little comparatively. The OP said they were currently at FAANG, not that they have been at that level for 2 decades.

Having worked with lots of people with over 20 years experience, a lot of them stuck with a single company their entire career and are making nowhere near FAANG.

[scarface74]

I just started working for a FAANG at 46. I’ve had three to six months savings in the bank since I was 23 working as a computer operator.

There is not a day since then that I have lost sleep about losing my job. I’ve always found jobs quickly.

My expenses starting next year should be lower than they were when I was making less than half as much in 2016. I’m voluntarily helping my younger son out in some ways until he turns 22