Slowing growth plus rising inflation equals stagflation. Corporate's response is predictable: When margins compress, they eliminate their most expensive employees first.
The Canadian company I work for (at age 70) is completely remote work. The owner is in Panama, sone lives in the UK, one in Spain, a few in the US, and me in Ecuador (the rest in Canada). I've been here on the equator since October 2008.
What I earn isn't peanuts, and yet it isn't nearly enough to live in Canada. My wife and I live a comfortable life on about $1,800 USD a month, including $500/month rent. We don't splurge, and we don't do without either.
Prices are rising here, just as they are everywhere else. Fortunately, they're rising from a low base.
BTW, about that comment from Expatsi, there's a term here for many of the expats who have come here — economic refugees. People have been coming here for over a decade because they can't afford to live in the US. And it's only going to get worse.
Ecuador has lots of problems, including some that seem insurmountable. Compared to the US, though, we have it pretty good here.
I'm happy to answer any questions about moving/living here.
On another note, if you have EARNED income from a business outside the US, you can earn about $115,000 without having to pay ANY U.S. income tax on it.
That is true, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion combined with certain territorial taxation countries (like Panama) means you can live pretty well income tax free.
It took me going through 4 layoffs in five years to switch from the corporate world to starting my business. It's protected me through a lot of turmoil, especially the pandemic lockdown.
Excellent article Brian. As I was reading I was reminded of 2001/2002 in publishing. Where I was working, there were so many people who had been with the company for 20 or 30 years. By 2003, they were all gone. Only a few made a strategic exit.
Hey Joe. I'm reminded of the Great Recession, where everyone was suddenly laid off and panicked. We did well because we sold the website tools and the marketing knowledge they needed, but that certainly had an element of luck to it. Right place wrong time for a lot of people.
This hits a nerve because a lot of people can feel this shift coming but aren’t acting on it yet.
What stands out is the timing piece — doing something while you still have income, confidence, and optionality. That window matters more than most realize. Once it closes, everything gets harder and more reactive.
Also appreciate the emphasis on the human side of the equation. The people who figure out how to use their judgment, relationships, and lived experience are the ones who will stand out in all of this.
I know some people will wait until the layoff hits, but I just wish people would start at least laying some groundwork while they still have a paycheck.
Thanks Brian, and no stress. This is one professional who's doing something about it! I've been round the sun enough times now to know what I want, what works, what doesn't and what's worth it.
You know, it’s funny how the wave of layoffs can be a catalyst for people to finally take that leap into entrepreneurship. It’s like the universe getting us to try something new before we're ready to do it. - Which most of us won't do unless we're pushed.
The Canadian company I work for (at age 70) is completely remote work. The owner is in Panama, sone lives in the UK, one in Spain, a few in the US, and me in Ecuador (the rest in Canada). I've been here on the equator since October 2008.
What I earn isn't peanuts, and yet it isn't nearly enough to live in Canada. My wife and I live a comfortable life on about $1,800 USD a month, including $500/month rent. We don't splurge, and we don't do without either.
Prices are rising here, just as they are everywhere else. Fortunately, they're rising from a low base.
BTW, about that comment from Expatsi, there's a term here for many of the expats who have come here — economic refugees. People have been coming here for over a decade because they can't afford to live in the US. And it's only going to get worse.
Ecuador has lots of problems, including some that seem insurmountable. Compared to the US, though, we have it pretty good here.
I'm happy to answer any questions about moving/living here.
On another note, if you have EARNED income from a business outside the US, you can earn about $115,000 without having to pay ANY U.S. income tax on it.
That is true, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion combined with certain territorial taxation countries (like Panama) means you can live pretty well income tax free.
It took me going through 4 layoffs in five years to switch from the corporate world to starting my business. It's protected me through a lot of turmoil, especially the pandemic lockdown.
Good for you Chef. I know people who have endured many layoffs but are still following the "hope" strategy. It's not working too well.
Brilliant Article! I started watching this trend back in 2022. This trend is not slowing down; this will accelerate.
Most people reading this are still thinking in terms of layoffs as an event.
That’s already outdated.
What’s happening now is slower and harder to see.
companies don’t need to cut entire roles ,
they just need fewer people in each role.
So instead of:
“Will I get laid off?”
The better question is:
“How many people like me does this job still need?”
That shift changes how you prepare.
Because you don’t get a clear signal.
No announcement.
No obvious trigger.
If your value is tied to execution, coordination, or repeatable output…
you might not get laid off.
You might just become one of the extra people the system no longer needs.
And that’s harder to see coming.
Great article! Thank you for sharing!!!
Excellent article Brian. As I was reading I was reminded of 2001/2002 in publishing. Where I was working, there were so many people who had been with the company for 20 or 30 years. By 2003, they were all gone. Only a few made a strategic exit.
The spreadsheet, sadly, always wins.
Hey Joe. I'm reminded of the Great Recession, where everyone was suddenly laid off and panicked. We did well because we sold the website tools and the marketing knowledge they needed, but that certainly had an element of luck to it. Right place wrong time for a lot of people.
This hits a nerve because a lot of people can feel this shift coming but aren’t acting on it yet.
What stands out is the timing piece — doing something while you still have income, confidence, and optionality. That window matters more than most realize. Once it closes, everything gets harder and more reactive.
Also appreciate the emphasis on the human side of the equation. The people who figure out how to use their judgment, relationships, and lived experience are the ones who will stand out in all of this.
I know some people will wait until the layoff hits, but I just wish people would start at least laying some groundwork while they still have a paycheck.
It is such a good idea…. along with intentionally building a financial buffer too!
This was me two weeks ago. #redundancyrodeo #layoffno5 (but who's counting)
Thanks, Brian. Encouraging words and ideas.
Oof, I'm sorry Simon.
Thanks Brian, and no stress. This is one professional who's doing something about it! I've been round the sun enough times now to know what I want, what works, what doesn't and what's worth it.
Excellent! That’s what I want to hear.
Definitely on Path 3 though I am a couple years away from 50.
Definitely on Path 3 though I am a couple years away from 50.
You know, it’s funny how the wave of layoffs can be a catalyst for people to finally take that leap into entrepreneurship. It’s like the universe getting us to try something new before we're ready to do it. - Which most of us won't do unless we're pushed.