Do I take the higher paid job I won't like as much?

[Anonymous]

I make 150k, DS also makes around 150k, we are in our late 30s and living comfortably but not extravagantly in a house we can afford with no debt beyond our mortgage, and 2 young kids in elementary school. I really enjoy my current job, great boss, interesting work, very comfortable there. I'm now a finalist for a job in another organization where my starting salary would be $220k, though my interviews lead me to believe I wouldn't enjoy the culture or work as much. Same industry, similar commute, etc. My DS thinks I should take the higher paying job for a few years just so that we can put a huge amount in the kids 529s and other savings, I'm worried I'll be sacrificing my daily happiness at work. What to do?

[Anonymous]

Which is more important to you at this point? $ in savings or happiness? Do you have a healthy savings cushion or would the salary increase be a game changer re: your financial situation?

I must ask, if you love your job, why are you applying for a new job?

[Anonymous]

Unless a new job provided me with basics things I couldn't already provide (housing, food, savings, a few extras like eating out and kids' activities), I wouldn't take a new job with more money but less quality of life. It just isn't worth it. Tell your husband to get a job he doesn't want to go to every day if money is that important to him.

[Anonymous]

Take it. That's a HUGE jump in salary. If you hate it, you can leave and find another job in a year or so- but at that point you will now command a much bigger salary. So I'd say it's worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take it. That's a HUGE jump in salary. If you hate it, you can leave and find another job in a year or so- but at that point you will now command a much bigger salary. So I'd say it's worth the risk.

Yup. But only if there are many opportunities for you in this area.

[Anonymous]

I'd do it as long as the work life balance was similar to what I was used to. You can do a lot with that extra money.

[Anonymous]

OP, you understand that you are considering turning down a job where you will make an extra $70k/year over what you perceive will be an unhappy work environment. You dont know for sure--you perceive this to be the case.

$70k/year.

Are you really financially comfortable enough to be able to walk away from an extra $70k/year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I make 150k, DS also makes around 150k, we are in our late 30s and living comfortably but not extravagantly in a house we can afford with no debt beyond our mortgage, and 2 young kids in elementary school. I really enjoy my current job, great boss, interesting work, very comfortable there. I'm now a finalist for a job in another organization where my starting salary would be $220k, though my interviews lead me to believe I wouldn't enjoy the culture or work as much. Same industry, similar commute, etc. My DS thinks I should take the higher paying job for a few years just so that we can put a huge amount in the kids 529s and other savings, I'm worried I'll be sacrificing my daily happiness at work. What to do?

Take the gig. These years are not about you or your happiness.

[Anonymous]

Take the job and then buy a Tesla.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Take the job and then buy a Tesla.

That's the spirit! Alternate what you do w/your $70k increase each year. Even years--fun. Odd years--responsible purchases/investments.

This year, buy a Tesla. Next year, put money in your kids college fund. The following year, buy a Louis Vuitton bag and take your family on a Disney cruise. Then, pump up your emergency savings. Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I make 150k, DS also makes around 150k, we are in our late 30s and living comfortably but not extravagantly in a house we can afford with no debt beyond our mortgage, and 2 young kids in elementary school. I really enjoy my current job, great boss, interesting work, very comfortable there. I'm now a finalist for a job in another organization where my starting salary would be $220k, though my interviews lead me to believe I wouldn't enjoy the culture or work as much. Same industry, similar commute, etc. My DS thinks I should take the higher paying job for a few years just so that we can put a huge amount in the kids 529s and other savings, I'm worried I'll be sacrificing my daily happiness at work. What to do?

Take the gig. These years are not about you or your happiness.

Yep. This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take it. That's a HUGE jump in salary. If you hate it, you can leave and find another job in a year or so- but at that point you will now command a much bigger salary. So I'd say it's worth the risk.

Yup. But only if there are many opportunities for you in this area.

Clearly there are some!

[Anonymous]

Before you take it, run the numbers for how the salary increase might impact your tax situation. Does it put you into AMT territory? Will you have other associated expenses with the new job? Yes, it's a big raise but if you are happy and comfortable right now, the extra money (after taxes) might be less than you'd expect.

[Anonymous]

I might be the lone voice of dissent. If you are happy, and financially secure, why rock the boat? What's going to make you happier on a daily basis: spending half your day doing something you like, or driving a tesla?

But: what prompted you to apply for a new job in the first place? How sure are you that you aren't going to like the new job? If it doesn't work out, will you have other options? If it's just a case of cold feet about leaving a good known situation, it might be worth taking the plunge, but I don't think the money alone would be worth making yourself miserable.

[Anonymous]

What would the hours be like compared to what you are doing now? Would the overall work/life balance be the same or would you be sacrificing you evenings and weekends for the new job? There has to be some reason that this job pays $70k more per year. Fortunately, you don't have to decide right away since you don't have an offer in hand yet. When you have an offer with a salary number and benefits written out it might be easier to compare.