My manager has worked hard for 10 years but still has no house or car

I am the author of a recent article on why I refused to dedicate myself to my IT company for a salary of US$800.

Many commenters asked why, at 23, I do not work toward a management position. The simple answer: I work for money, not titles. My goal is to earn enough to support my parents and myself. Positions in the company mean little to me.

A man rests his head on the table, apparently exhausted. Illustration photo by Pexels

My direct manager, highly skilled and experienced, has mentored me since I started. I respect him greatly. He has been with the company for eight years, rising from an entry-level position to leading an eight-person team.

He works tirelessly, frequently doing overtime. But at 35, he still has no house or car and struggles financially despite living modestly. I know I do not want to be in his shoes in the future.

Titles matter only in the office. Outside, there are other things that matter more. I would rather keep a lower position and use my free time for side gigs that pay well. By 23, I had bought a house, owned a car, and helped my parents retire early—things my manager could not achieve despite his hard work.

Working outside my main job taught me a valuable lesson: there's no need to show off wealth. I quietly build my financial security every day. If I had only relied on my IT job, I would have saved just $8,000 after two years at best. I started as an unpaid intern, and now, after three years, I make only $800 a month. That is why I believe overtime benefits companies more than employees.

I still live modestly though—using a secondhand iPhone 11, wearing unbranded clothes, and keeping my monthly expenses under $120. I eat at work and live with my parents to save money.

If you do not plan for your 30s while in your 20s, you will struggle later.