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[quote=Anonymous]I can offer my perspective from the other side of a similar situation (making $70K at an NGO, 2 kids outside the beltway in DC, husband making $100k).

I enjoy my NGO job, the work is interesting, and contrary to PPs comments, it is not a dysfuctional organization - though funding pressure is very real. The flexibility at my particular org has been fantastic for our family - I work from home more often than not and have been able to reduce my hours when I wanted to.

All that said, financially it can be difficult, and I'm constantly on the lookout for fed jobs in my field. The difference between a fed salary and my current salary is the difference between being able to sign my kids up for music lessons, go on occasional trips, take the family ice skating or out to dinner on a whim, or do needed house maintenance without stressing about money. We also feel like we're not currently saving enough for college and retirement. I'm content with the life we have, and feel fortunate to have a fun, meaningful and flexible job, but it sure would be nice to have more discretionary income. The funding pressures at my NGO also wear on me. I'm 38 years old and still being asked to share a hotel room for conferences, which gets old pretty quick.

If I were you, I'd sit down with your husband and map out the financial implications and lifestyle differences into the future. Then I'd ask yourself the following questions:

- Is your current job really that bad? I.e. if it's causing you great stress on a daily basis, or you feel totally stagnant and it's affecting your mood, I'd be much more willing to change paths than if you're just a little bored.
- Will the new position definitely offer better work/life balance, and does your family need that? if that's not part of the equation, I'd pass that by.
- What is your likely career projection is you choose either path? Will this move really bring you closer to your ideal job (and hopefully a higher salary) or is that still a long shot? 
- Is this a once in a blue moon opportunity, or will others come along? If it's not, I'd recommend staying where you are but living off the paycheck you'd be getting at the non-profit for a year, and then deciding if you still want to pursue that path.

Basically, I'd be really skeptical of making the change, unless all the stars align and you are DH are both okay with the lifestyle hit. That said, in my experience the "two year position" thing is fairly common for NGO listings due to the nature of funding sources, and if you're good, they'll likely find a way to keep you after that period if at all possible.[/quote]

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