Thread regarding Dell Inc. layoffs

I'm 62 and nearing the end of my career. I've spent >30 years working in high-tech, including many years at EMC and more recently a decade at VMware. My wife is an attorney working at a small suburban law firm. We earn approximately $450k/year.

The best financial advice I ever got was from my uncle who was a portfolio manager who managed billions of dollars of pension fund money for a brand-name asset management firm:

"If you want a decent retirement, save 10% of your gross lifetime salary. If you want a great retirement, save 15%. If you want to leave a legacy for your kids, save 20% or more."

My wife and I kept this as a North Star in our financial lives over the past decades, and avoided taking on debt aside from our home mortgage. We pay off our credit cards every month. For many years, it was really tight especially when the kids were younger. Both my wife and I experienced unplanned job losses. But to make ends meet we skipped exotic vacations, and drove used cars for many years. Don't get me wrong - we didn't go without. But we kept things tight to ensure we didn't disrupt our long-term savings.

It's incredible what we've achieved... At this point we've sent two children thru university, we own our home outright (~$1.75M), and our investment portfolio just crossed $7M. We are looking forward to a very comfortable retirement, all because we saved diligently and never got into debt.

Now that our kids are out of college and on their own, we've cranked up our retirement savings even more, and have started to splurge a bit on ourselves.

Simple strategies work. We are proof. Neither of us are financial gurus. Neither of us are senior executives earning massive salaries. You just need to be disciplined and consistent. Good luck to all.

Best advise I've heard is John Goodman's monologue in the movie "The Gambler" when he tells Mark Wahlberg's character. "You accumulate come good savings, you get a house with a 25-year-roof, an indestructible J-p-economy sh-t-box car, you put the rest into the system at 3-5% to pay your taxes and that's your base, get me? That's your fortress of solitude." That puts you for the rest of your life at the "FU#K YOU" level. Somebody wants you to do something you don't want, your response: "FU#K YOU". Your boss pi---s you off: "FU#K YOU". Own your house, have a couple of bucks in the bank, don't drink or do dr-gs and you'll always be in a position of FU world.

"You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting"

Count Adhemar has entered the chat.

"But as long as your house is worth more than you could net after the sale it can hardly be called a liability."

this is tiresome. As long as you owe a mortgage your house is a liability. And one has a perpetual mortgage in the form of prop taxes and hoa fees. Try not paying your property taxes and see how that "investment" of your does.

Even if you manage to have acquired equity through the years after paying of a mortgage, it's a poorly performing return generally at the rate of inflation

Fortunately owning a home for investment purposes will become obsolete "thinking." It's been debunked so much in modern literature that one can easily research it for themselves.

Nice to see open minded dialogue rather than people calling each other stupid and trying to shut down conversation.

We are a republic. Not a dictatorship like Dell. Peace.

"mortgage isn't just a burden; it's an investment in homeownership and equity. Home values can appreciate over time, providing a substantial return"

obvious boomer to think of your home as an investment. It's a liability.

Boomer here. A home is neither - it is shelter. If it has appreciated in value you can sell but you still have to live somewhere. But as long as your house is worth more than you could net after the sale it can hardly be called a liability. Basic net worth accounting.

@bq+1jn1be78p

You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting

I'll probably catch all kinds of he-l for this, but getting a job at EMC gave more freedom than any other choice I have made. Before I started working here I was working a full time job plus 2 and sometimes 3 part time jobs. When I wasn't working I was doing household chores and caring for my children because my wife also worked. We ended up making some very hard decisions so I could drop the part time jobs and go to college. The job I got here after graduating paid enough that my wife able to quit her job and take care of the house and kids (what she wanted all along). Since starting here I have never worked more that 40 hours a week unless I wanted to, have leisure time every day after work, and rarely have to work weekends.

• sounds like a mix between a Dave Ramsay video and a Jerry Springer show up in here. Money management and STDs. Polish your resumes and sanitize. Everything will work out!

@bf+1jn1be78p

You have missed the point of the discussion. Please exit the conversation. You’re not smart.

“ "mortgage isn't just a burden; it's an investment in homeownership and equity. Home values can appreciate over time, providing a substantial return"

obvious boomer to think of your home as an investment. It's a liability.

Between the mortgage, insurance, maintenance, HOA and prop taxes it is FAR from an investment.”

You couldn’t be more wrong. If you don’t own a home and are renting you are already financing HOA and property taxes on behalf of the owner/landlord. When you purchase a home, you do build equity and if you have a mortgage the payment remains the same while your rent will continue to increase

Debt doesn't dictate career choices. Everyone has free will. You can accomplish whatever you want too in life. This sounds more like a seminar, honestly. I would focus more on forcing good (and real) change at Dell and not redirect workplace concerns to potential money problems in people's personal lives.

Of course, you can always cut and run if you don't like something or don't get your way. But not everyone can just walk away from relationships and never look back.

The focus should be on constructive dialogue throughout Dell to try and make whatever positive changes can be made. But don't let things fester like an STD. If it's bad for your health, run.

Mortgages, 401(k)s, and other financial commitments are essentially house offers—agreements that keep you tied to a system. Millionaires don’t think this way, which is exactly why they have choices. They’re not bound by the need to clock in at an office for eight hours a day just to keep up with bills. Financial freedom isn’t about having more money; it’s about having the ability to make decisions without fear of losing everything. That’s the real difference.

"mortgage isn't just a burden; it's an investment in homeownership and equity. Home values can appreciate over time, providing a substantial return"

obvious boomer to think of your home as an investment. It's a liability.

Between the mortgage, insurance, maintenance, HOA and prop taxes it is FAR from an investment.

I disagree with the last two posters. Debt, when used responsibly, can be a tool for opportunity but let’s not ignore the reality that for many, it becomes a long-term burden rather than a stepping stone. The issue isn’t just about whether debt has benefits; it’s about how it shapes our freedom, our choices, and ultimately, our happiness.

If debt is meant to be an enabler, then why do so many feel trapped by it? Mortgages, student loans, and car payments might provide access to homes, education, and transportation, but they also tether people to financial obligations that dictate their career choices, limit their flexibility, and, in many cases, force them into jobs they don’t love just to keep up with monthly payments.

Which brings us back to the return-to-office conversation. If financial obligations keep people bound to work they find unfulfilling, does that sound like freedom? For many, the ability to work remotely provided a glimpse of autonomy less commuting, more work-life balance, and an escape from some of the traditional constraints of the workplace. Now, with return-to-office mandates, some employees feel they’re being pulled back into a system that prioritizes control over flexibility.

So, the question isn’t just whether debt is a shackle it’s whether our work structures, financial expectations, and societal norms truly allow us the freedom we think we have. If we’re serious about creating an environment where people thrive, we should be asking: Are we giving employees real choices, or are we just reinforcing the same cycle under a different name? So yes, this is a relevant conversation that needs to be had.

Everyone starts in different positions in life. Some people are born with silver spoons in their mouths and don't know what the word sacrifice means or even working hard. If you had zero debt would that change your bad Director or Manager's habits? Should you be forced to endure a cr-ppy workplace because of the incompetence of leadership despite having a lot of money? I think not.

I agree with the previous poster that it's a generic blanket statement.

Let's set this straight.

The argument that debt is primarily a shackle is overly simplistic and fails to acknowledge the pivotal role debt can play in personal and economic growth. Debt is not inherently negative—it's a tool that, when managed correctly, can lead to significant benefits.

Firstly, a mortgage isn't just a burden; it's an investment in homeownership and equity. Home values can appreciate over time, providing a substantial return on investment. Student loans are an investment in education, which often results in better job opportunities and higher earning potential. Car loans enable individuals to purchase reliable transportation, which is crucial for accessing employment and other essential services.

Moreover, responsible borrowing and repayment build credit, which is vital for accessing better financial products and services. It allows individuals to secure lower interest rates, better terms on loans, and even favorable conditions for rental agreements.

The notion that debt solely dictates one's life choices is a defeatist perspective. Yes, debt requires careful management, but it also provides opportunities for growth and advancement. The key is not to avoid debt at all costs but to leverage it wisely and strategically.

In summary, debt, when used responsibly, is a powerful tool for achieving personal and financial goals. It’s time to move beyond the simplistic view that debt is a shackle and recognize it for what it truly is—a potential enabler of opportunities.

Embrace the potential, manage it wisely, and break free from the fear of debt.

Additionally, this discussion about debt is out of place on a Dell forum that focuses on working at Dell. Let's keep the conversation relevant to the platform and its purpose.

Sounds like my ex who lived off of her husbands

Dell hired Dave Ramsey?!

You’re are not going to be the first person feeling sick on their way into the office. Corporate America has us all by the ba--s. Or in Trumps world, they grabbed the other gender by the P.

I'm not in a position to walk away from this crummy job in this dumpster fire of a company. I literally feel sick every morning on my way to the office. Nobody, and I mean nobody on my team enjoys working for Dell. Senior management have made it a horrific place to work. Meanwhile they're cosying up the the red hat fascists and lining their pockets. I really despair for all of us having to put up with this. Whether you are Onsite, field, remote or whatever, MD & JC hate you in equal measure.

There were polls on fishbowl. Over 85% of the people who voted said they don’t believe that things will get better through 2025.

In another poll 56% of people who voted said they would be happy with a layoff and severance today.

That’s where we are. This place is a horror show. All by design.

Well, debt might not be a push for some people. Medical insurance is definitely a push for some even if you have no debt one hospital visit, one injury, keeping up with medication’s and doctors in generalcould put you in major debt quickly if you don’t have insurance.

From a young age, society pushes the idea that success is tied to acquiring more & more stuff, more status, more financial obligations. Debt, in particular, keeps people tethered to jobs they may not love, limiting their ability to take risks or live on their own terms. If your decisions are influenced by marketing, social expectations, and financial burdens, is that real freedom?

I feel trapped, beholden to my paycheck.

"Yet here you are, posting on this site relentlessly…settling everyday."

I have only been at dell 2y. Will not make it to 3y.
Dell is a wasteland.
If you have family to support this is the LAST place you should drop anchor.

@a4+1jn1be78p

Yet here you are, posting on this site relentlessly…settling everyday.

I disagree. Goes along the same argument as I have kids/family etc.
The fact you have a higher risk, you should hedge even higher to mitigate against those risks. Those who have kids/family should not have settled for a company like dell.

I totally agree! It’s undeniable that debt limits options. Many people stay in jobs they dislike, not because they lack drive, but because financial obligations leave them feeling trapped. It’s not always about hating a job sometimes it’s about not having the flexibility to explore something better, take a career risk, or even step away for personal growth.

The goal isn’t just to make money - it’s to create choices. The less debt weighs you down, the more control you have over your own path. It’s not about escaping work, it’s about working on your own terms. Who is dictating your terms?