I see a lot of software folks, myself included, not “solving for compensation” because we make pretty good money compared to other professions, find the work st

I see a lot of software folks, myself included, not “solving for compensation” because we make pretty good money compared to other professions, find the work stimulating, and don’t want the stress of job hopping. But it’s also import to remember that any year your “merit increase” is lower than inflation, you are actually getting a pay reduction (and official inflation usually lags behind rent and some other expenses).