Trapped by their millions: Nvidia employees hit the 1% — but still work 80-hour weeks. Here's how to buy back your time

Find a "lazy girl job"

Although most Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) employees told Bloomberg they’re working long hours for a CEO who likes to “torture people into greatness,” there are rumors that there are some who skate by doing nothing at all. A former employee explained how some colleagues who acted “semi-retired,” keeping their jobs long enough to let their stocks vest.

Though another Nvidia employee told Bloomberg that it’s fairly hard to get away with “resting and vesting,” it can happen at the company.

But this semi-retirement path is the one that can make you the most money, according to Gabrielle Judge, a self-proclaimed “anti-work girlboss” who is popular on TikTok.

Judge advocates for getting a “lazy girl job.” She explained in a 2022 TikTok that this is usually a remote or hybrid position with a high salary, low expectations and no technical skills required. You can finish your work for the day in less than eight hours. Examples of so-called lazy girls jobs in the U.S, where Judge resides, include customer success manager or marketing associate. In Canada, similar roles could include account coordinator, communications assistant or junior project manager; all of which offer remote flexibility with competitive salaries around $55,000 to $80,000 depending on industry and region.

In a later video she put out this year, Judge breaks down the math of how a lazy girl job with an $100,000 annual salary earns you more money per hour than a more demanding job (e.g. a 16-hour day) with a $200,000 annual salary.

By Judge’s argument, an employee will bring in $52 per hour whether they work eight hours at a $100,000 a year job or if they work 16 hours at a $200,000 per year job.

“Hustle culture makes you broke,” Judge tells her followers.

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Unshackle yourself from the golden handcuffs

Many Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) employees have enough money to retire. But they’re waiting on the next big stock payout until they finally do, Bloomberg reports. The “golden handcuffs” keep many people at their desks, rather than out enjoying their millions.

You don’t have to endure a never-ending hustle in order to retire with a comfortable amount of wealth. You can make your money work for you to get to a point where you don’t have to work in order to survive.

A good way to do this is to contribute regularly to your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). Like U.S. teachers who become 401(k) millionaires, many Canadian workers build significant wealth through consistent investing in tax-advantaged accounts, like RRSPs and TFSAa.

Although teachers don't earn millionaire money — with the national average salary for Canadian teachers hovering around $75,000, according to Statistics Canada — with disciplined contributions to an RRSP or pension, many teachers retire comfortably — even millionaires.

Pay attention to the bottom line

Consider speaking with a fee-only financial planner through services like AdviceOnly or FP Canada – certified professionals, who can help you with investing, retirement planning and tax optimization tailored to Canadian rules.

Sources

1. Bloomberg: Nvidia rally mints millionaires too busy to bask in new wealth (Aug 26, 2024)

2. Moneywise.com: This TikToker touts 'lazy girl jobs' that allow you to live the easy life on a comfortable salary. Her insight has viewers stirred up — but is she onto something? (Sept 12, 2023)