If you could choose between a job you hated but got paid $60K, or a job you loved for $20K...?

Question

...which would you pick? What is more important to you, money or happiness?

Details, lets say: $60K @ the office, had to commmute, go to meetings, lunches, etc.

20K: worked from home, could come and go as you please, no need for commuting.

Answer 1

This is an easy one for me.
It's a decision I had to make many years ago and reaffirm regularly. I have never, ever regretted my choice!
I make less now as an advocate than I made in a law firm in Manhattan twenty-one years ago.
On the other hand, I know I make a difference in the lives of folks who, more often than not, feel completely disenfranchised.
I have gotten to be very, very good at what I do and know that I have left my mark on our public system.
I am doing something that my children are proud of.
Most importantly of all, I can look in the mirror in the mornings and like what I see.
It would be nice to have more money in my life. Not at the expense of my soul or my integrity....
Reg

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

Personally, I try to keep my business and personal lives separate. I don't like to do what I love for a living because then it becomes a chore and I may end up not liking it. In the long run, that takes joy out of my life.

Now considering that there is no commute with the 20K job, that says a little something. depending upon the mileage of your car, this could make a substantial financial impact as well. I live 65 miles from my job and spend like $400/month in gas. Over a year, that's like $4800!! Still no where near the $40k differential.

All in all, it would depend on my expenses. I have a mortgage and a family and $20k, no matter how you slice it, won't do for me. I have other things for happiness. Work is irrelevant when it comes to my happiness.

Answer 4

I already have that 20K job, well OK a little more, but not much, and I have it because I have allot of independence, I work out in the community all day / every day. I make my own schedule, I go in when I want, and I leave when I want, I always produce a certain number of hours a month, and no one is ever questioning me, or looking over my shoulder.....but the number #1 reason I have this job is I love what I do, it makes me feel good, I don't know if I could do any other job. Definitely not the corporate type, no office all day...too restrictive.

Answer 5

the $60K one. i would never be able to raise kids on 20K or go on vacation.

if i wanted to settle for a $60K job though I would not be in college i would be still living on the coast fixing ships for $60K. I mean sure i will probaly start there or a touch below out of college. But the short term pay cut is worth the higher pay later and the better job. I mean being a technican till i retired would be boring. It was fun sometime but nothing to that great.

Answer 6

Definitely the job that I loved and paid $20K.....if I was unhappy in a job even if it paid $5 an hour or $60K a year I think it would make other parts of my life miserable, too.

Answer 7

The real issue is, unfortunately, which is more important to you? The real trick about getting through life isn't about getting to the end; it's getting to the end with your head held high.
I suggest.. and ONLY suggest.. that if you love a job, it is more attuned to who you are. On the other hand, maybe you could come to love the 60 K job.
You will miss out on lots of things without the extra money.. new car, boat travel and so forth.. can money buy you a lot of happiness? Maybe not, but it makes a great substitute for being broke.
Follow your heart: when you break that rule the first time,it just gets easier the next time. You don't need to spend all that extra money on therapy.

Answer 8

I'd pick the 20k job if it made me happy every time (in fact, that's pretty close to my current job description). I've had the 60k job before and I hated the way my life was back then.

Answer 9

It would depend on other factors. Like, if I got paid $60k and was home at regular hours to be with my family, I'd do that over a $20k job I loved, but kept me away from my family when they were at home.

Answer 10

By choosing the job that pays 60k and dedicating your time to save, you could l8er relax w your newly purchased home, and work at the 20k a year job just to survive.