The week in Vested

Why Are We Still Hiring H1b for New Grads

US · Sun May 03

A Reddit user, describing themselves as a brown American senior engineer, questions why Microsoft hired four H1B visa holders for new graduate positions on a sister team, noting three were from India and one from China. They suggest the job market is bad for Americans and allege possible discrimination by Indian management in their predominantly Indian organization.

Why this matters: This reflects ongoing tensions in the tech industry over hiring practices, visa use, and perceptions of fairness during a tight job market, highlighting debates about globalization's impact on domestic workers.

Personal Finance (Not Investing) • Re: Receiving a deferred compensation distribution

US · Sun May 03

An individual received a deferred compensation distribution after speaking with a plan representative who explained the withdrawal options. The representative addressed concerns about bankruptcy risk, stating the hospital could but likely would not use the funds to pay creditors. The funds were withdrawn with taxes withheld, with the bulk going into a taxable brokerage account.

Why this matters: This highlights the practical steps and potential risks involved in accessing deferred compensation, a common but often complex employee benefit.

Would it be stupid to quit my job to finish my last semester of college?

US · Sun May 03

A Reddit user, debt-free with $7,000 in savings, is considering quitting a $24/hour construction job to focus on a final 16-credit college semester, citing burnout from working 50-hour weeks while studying full-time.

Why this matters: This highlights the common financial and mental health trade-offs students face when balancing work and education, a decision that can impact long-term career prospects and personal well-being.

Rent or buy with ~$50k windfall

US · Sun May 03

A 31-year-old in Tulsa with a $75k salary is deciding whether to use an estimated $50k from selling an inherited home to buy a new house or invest it and rent. The inherited home needs extensive repairs, and the person is tired of maintenance and its location. They are considering a monthly housing budget of $1,200-$1,400.

Why this matters: This is a classic rent-versus-buy decision that hinges on personal tolerance for maintenance, lifestyle preferences, and long-term financial planning, rather than a purely mathematical calculation.

If I want to work as a SWE at a banking/insurance company, how much do I need to know about banking/insurance?

US · Sun May 03

A computer science student graduating next year is considering a software engineering role in banking or insurance for lower stress and more stability, but has no experience in those fields and is asking how much industry knowledge is needed to succeed.

Why this matters: The question highlights a common career path for tech graduates seeking work-life balance and reveals a key uncertainty about the domain expertise required in regulated, legacy-heavy industries.

Professional financial advisor advise

US · Sun May 03

A Reddit user whose husband unexpectedly earned significant untaxed income from a self-published Steam game is seeking advice on whether to consult a financial advisor for tax help or if accountants are only for larger businesses.

Why this matters: Sudden windfalls require proper tax planning to avoid penalties, and understanding the different roles of financial advisors versus accountants is crucial for new entrepreneurs managing unexpected income.

Home buying more or less down?

US · Sun May 03

A first-time homebuyer with $50,000 in savings asks whether to make a 3.5% down payment for a higher monthly cost or a 5-10% down payment for a lower monthly payment.

Why this matters: The decision between a lower down payment and higher monthly costs versus a larger down payment and lower monthly costs is a fundamental financial trade-off for homebuyers, impacting long-term affordability and cash flow.

Am I cooked? (Graduated with 1 internship experience)

US · Sun May 03

A recent graduate in the EU and MENA region with one Amazon SDE internship and a six-month unemployment gap is seeking advice on their job prospects, asking if further Leetcode practice and courses would help.

Why this matters: This reflects the anxiety many new graduates face in a competitive tech job market, where perceived resume gaps and limited experience can create significant career uncertainty.

My parents financial situation is stressing me out

US · Sun May 03

The author's 66 and 69-year-old parents, who have no retirement savings and are jobless, have been living in a van for over two years searching for affordable housing after selling their house to escape debt. The author, an only child living far away, feels anxious about the situation and seeks advice on how to assist.

“Twice the local median income…” - SMBC does SWR and inner peace

US · Sun May 03

The webcomic Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal (SMBC) published a comic titled 'peace-4' that describes the concept of inner peace using the financial analogy of a Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR).

Why this matters: It creatively connects a core personal finance concept for retirement planning to a broader philosophical goal, illustrating how financial security can be framed as a path to personal contentment.