Software Misadventures Kelsey Hightower - On retiring as Distinguished Engineer from Google at 42 (Part 2)
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Aug 3, 2023 Former Google Distinguished Engineer, Kelsey Hightower, discusses financial planning for early retirement at 42, advising startups, turning down Microsoft, and meeting Satya Nadella. He reflects on valuing time, shifting priorities, overcoming ego, and career impact.
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Process Can Become An Excuse
- Work rituals and process can become excuses that slow real engineering progress.
- Kelsey argues focus and ownership beat process theater for shipping value.
Buy Back Your Time With Stable Capital
- Calculate how much passive capital you need to 'buy back' your time and aim for stable instruments.
- Use realistic spending averages and preserve capital with low-volatility assets like Treasuries.
Live Minimalist To Increase Options
- Reduce lifestyle costs to discover what you truly value and save more aggressively.
- Combine frugality with tangible assets (paid-off houses) to create stability before retiring.