If you are a Google employee, you’ve probably started paying closer attention to your tax situation over the last few years, especially around tax filing season. 

College graduates looking to join the workforce this year encountered the most discouraging labor market in recent memory. The class of 2025 saw the number of job postings on Handshake (a career platform used to recruit college graduates) decline 15% from the previous year. The number of applications per job increased by 30%.¹

If you’ve recently been laid off from Indeed in Austin, first, take a breath. Layoffs—even expected ones—can bring a rush of uncertainty. But they can also be a powerful inflection point in your financial life. With thoughtful planning, you can transition from reactive to proactive and turn this disruption into a moment of long-term gain.

Every year, thousands of hopeful hikers set out to conquer long-distance trails like the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or Continental Divide Trail. With high spirits and grand ambitions, they march into the wilderness, packs stuffed with gear and dreams of transformation. Yet many are forced to quit early—not because of injury or lack of passion, but because they overestimated their endurance and underestimated their preparation.