In Part 2 of my “smart money things I did in my 20s” series, I’m sharing the practical moves that helped me feel more stable while I was building my career in tech. I’m not talking about “get rich quick” stuff—I’m talking about the kind of decisions that compound over time: investing in skills that increase your earning power, being intentional with career moves, and making sure your money habits actually support the life you’re trying to build. I also connect the money side to the career side, because in my experience they’re inseparable. When you learn high-income skills (like data science, AI engineering, or negotiation), you create more options: better roles, better offers, and more leverage. My biggest takeaway is that the “smart” money decisions aren’t always about cutting costs—they’re often about upgrading your strategy, learning faster, and positioning yourself for higher-paying opportunities in the tech job market.