Six Figures, Zero Security

Most people think a six-figure salary is the finish line. For many Americans, it’s the beginning

of the trap. In 2018, this software engineer landed what everyone dreams of: a $145,000

job at a fast-growing tech company. New city. New apartment. New car.

On paper, success. What no one warned him about was how quickly lifestyle

inflation compounds. The rent jumped from $1,200 to $3,400. The car payment became “reasonable”

at $900 a month. Stock-based compensation replaced cash bonuses, locking his income to a company he

couldn’t control. Then came the layoffs. No warning. No severance worth mentioning.

Health insurance gone in weeks. Here’s the real damage: His fixed expenses