Woman Ditches $75K Job for $96/Month Rent in Yellowstone
A 26-year-old mechanical designer traded her lucrative career for a lower-paying job as a seamstress in a national park, drastically reducing her living expenses.
Zoe De La Paz, a 26-year-old who previously earned $75,000 annually as a mechanical designer, has left her corporate career to work as a seamstress in Yellowstone National Park. Her decision was prompted by a visit to a friend working in the park, which made her realize she was unfulfilled in her previous nine-to-five role.
De La Paz now earns $19.25 per hour and lives in dorm-style housing in Yellowstone's Mammoth Village, sharing a room with a roommate. Her rent is a mere $96 per month, a cost that includes utilities and Wi-Fi. She also allocates $359 monthly for a meal stipend used at the park's dining halls. While her income is lower than before, she views the trade-off as worthwhile for the opportunity to live in a scenic location.
Her current work schedule involves 40 hours per week, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break. In July, De La Paz's earnings totaled approximately $2,640. She spent $1,162 on various expenses including gifts, entertainment, household items, and pet care, with $742 allocated to food and $586 to savings.
De La Paz maintains an emergency savings fund of $11,000 and retains a 401(k) from her former employer valued at over $34,000. She also noted that her friends and family can visit and stay overnight in Yellowstone for a minimal fee of $5, addressing a perceived financial barrier for others wishing to experience national parks.
Her seasonal contract with Xanterra Parks & Resorts, which operates lodging and dining in Yellowstone, concludes at the end of December. De La Paz is currently considering job offers in both Los Angeles and New York City, expressing anticipation for her next career step, which she expects will continue to involve sewing.
