Do you have any assets along with that 12k, or does that 12k just go quite a lot farther wherever you are? 12k renting in Canada would last me a few months, spending frugally and splitting rent. Once that's gone, I'd have no assets, no investments, just homelessness looming on the horizon. So it would provide a bit of runway, and I'd choose whichever of a set of offers if I received them, but it's very rarely the case that there's even one option. If you've put money into a mortgage over that time, or an investment account, or your cost of living is extremely low while your prospects are good, then sure it's just a low risk lifestyle choice I'd also favour. If you can't whether a bad storm though, you don't want to be caught outside during it. Every time I'm in that position, I take the first month or two and try to find something I really enjoy. But that never goes well, and I'd sure as shit hedge my bets and take the job at FAANG if it came about, especially if it's the only choice available.