My husband and I both used to work at Intel for years at one point. I left shortly after the pandemic when things started to look way more unstable, and I was fortunate to find a good position elsewhere that used my transferable skills, just as I did when I transitioned into Intel in the first place. My husband still works there and remains the higher earner in our household because of his position, but the ongoing job insecurity has become a major source of stress for him.
We’re a childless couple by choice, with no major debt other than a car loan, and our home is fully paid off, though it’s worth noting that we never moved beyond what was meant to be our starter home. I completely understand how much more stressful this situation can be for people who rely entirely on one income or where both partners work at the same company, which we’ve seen happen often in our circle.
The truth is, the only way to survive in environments like this is to always have a backup plan, a safety net that can fully support you for. The uncertainty is constant, and living with that fear takes a toll to the point that it can break people.