I honestly don't comprehend why the prototypical HNer (in their 20s, working as a developer) doesn't have a year or two of expenses saved up. It should be trivial.
Expenses is the keyword, I think. Most prototypical HNers live life well above what they could live at (e.g., less organically-grown gourmet coffee and more rice). A year or two of true, necessary expenses could be closer to 6 months of income for many here.
I myself work at an early stage startup which I'm very passionate about. I still expect to get paid competitively. If you're the prototypical HNer (read: good developer) and you're getting paid under $100k, then you're messing things up.
As for starting a business, by far the most viable path is to do it in your free time until it either: (a) generates revenue you could live off or (b) has enough traction for meaningful VC.
Average student loan debt is $29,400. For what most developers make, that should be easy to pay off within a year or two.
For what it's worth, I did quit; partially because the pay was so low for the 55 hours of week they expected developers to put in.
I know this is only anecdotal, but shit does indeed happen.
Agreed. That's outrageously low, and you definitely made the right choice in quitting.
Nor does the prototypical HNer. Though I am helping my dad buy a house.
> Without a gold spoon it's not as easy as you make it seem.
What do you mean? I definitely don't have a golden/silver spoon, but have been able to save up a good amount despite ludicrous NYC living & taxes.
The prototypical HNer is a good developer. Good developers make a lot of money unless they're making terrible work decisions.
I think I've made an excellent work decision. It's extremely cheap to live here. I could easily survive on <$20K/yr, far less actually. You can have the high-expense/high-stress wage-slave life to get your $100K/yr. I'll pass.