> “ I left a Silicon Valley FAANG for another country more than five years ago, even though I was making ~3x there compared to what I made in the new place.”
This is kind of what the comment you’re replying to was suggesting. Take advantage of the high income first before moving.
> “You can make money anytime.”
Sure, but interest compounds - money earlier is way more helpful than money later.
I always wonder a little about the family wealth of people that write things like this. Most of the people I know who left high paying jobs come from wealthy families and they’re already basically working for fun.
I didn’t grow up poor by any means, but I also don’t come from family wealth. If I want to have a family of my own, and make sure we will always have a place to live, saving high salary (and equity) in order to reach financial independence is worth it.
If you don’t want a family or you come from wealth then prioritizing other stuff is probably fine. If you do want these things though, I think it’s helpful to be more forward looking until reaching financial independence.
> “Not the life I wanted.”
Totally reasonable, but what people want over their life changes. Financial independence gives you freedom to be able to change too.