I'm turning down money for happiness. Am I crazy?

A few weeks ago I got a job offer that would be about 40% more than what I make now. Its a job I did in the past, but didn't really like all that much. What I do now, pays me less, but I'm not living too bad. I do really like it though. So, this morning, I met with my boss, and my boss's boss about my future with my current company. They're impressed with my work ,and view me as a strong leader among my peers. So, when I made my case for being trained for management, they said that it would take some time, but when our company expands (late 2007), I'd be one of the ones in line for a managerial post. Our supervisors pay is a shade (nothing significant) that what I'm turning down now. Another factor that's keeping me here is politics. Pittsburgh has a great political scene, and I'm glad to be part of it. My family is here too, so that's a nice benefit. When I sat down and calcuated out the pros and cons, really, the only pro to moving would be more money, and to me, money doesn't buy happiness. One in the hand is worth two in the bush, I suppose. :)

At least not in my opinion.

I just had a similar conversation with my daughter last night. She's been managing a retail store for the last year and a half and is at the end of her rope. This girl is 24, has been managing stores since she was 19 and was just married last summer. She's had ONE day off in the last 2 months and she's stressed out and overworked.

She's decided to step down at the end of the year and take an administrative position for less money so she can have a life and less stress and I support her fully.

Money's not everything. If you can meet your financial obligations, have some kind of a future and are happy, that's worth a lot more.

Especially since you can pay your bills, why be stressed out just to make an extra buck? In the end it's not worth it!

where I have decided I need to do something different just because I want to do something I really love and believe in, not just something that pays well. I don't know what it's going to be, and I'm sure I'm gonna take a hella paycut, but I am ready to take that step.

Sooo.... I agree with what you are doing. :D

Once I took a 50% pay cut to get out of something I hated. I have never regretted it. What good is money if the process of making it makes you miserable?

You are definitely doing the right thing!

As long as your basic needs are met with your current wages, or with the wages you will be getting....that's all you need!

The other things are way more important!

Be happy! Life is too damned short! :toast: