More money OR more happiness?

[prs97]

My 2 cents would be to take the one that's a better opportunity to advance your career. Your career is going to be more than one job.

A focus on building your skills will pave the path to making more money in the long run. (At least that's what I keep telling myself).

Oh...

And stay away from the places that contain the sociopaths. Places I've been in that paid the best money also had the worst people.

Good luck!

 

[SHOdown220]

I gotta say, I wasn't expecting quite the back and forth responses that I've received. Thank you to everyone so far, everyone has made some excellent points. I still have a lot of deciding left to do!

 

[Regulars520]

how many Broke poor happy people do you know? money is what makes the world go round. money makes you happy. having the bills paid, not avoiding the collection calls. being able to walk into the garage and just look at the toys brings a smile... coming home to a happy wife that knows she has a real man that works hard to pay the bills and make their life better... thats life... being broke and having no toys.. what is there to enjoy when you dont have anything??

I've been dirt poor broke and now have enough to fill all my needs and then some. No comparison, Im much happier now. But what makes me happy may not make the next guy happy.

 

[BIG_WINNER]

money buys happiness. anyone that says otherwise is a moron

 

[vettez062002]

Well, I worked hard, was there all the time, sat in on the best salespeoples' deals so I could learn, and sold double digit cars every month. Every customer said that I was the best salesman they'd ever worked with and I had perfect surveys from over 90% of my customers (the rest just didn't do the surveys.) The problem was, I made no PROFIT on all those vehicles. Even with add-on bonuses and sales quantity bonuses, my earnings only added up to slightly above minimum wage for the hours I worked and I was NEVER home to see my wife. It just wasn't worth it to me. I make more in my current job than all the salesmen at that dealership except for the top two. But I work 40 hours a week with every holiday and one million times better benefits, while those guys live at work and never see their families.

Not bashing the car sales world. If you can do it and you're good at it then that's awesome. Unfortunately for me I was good at everything but making a profit.

you ever move to pa and need a job just let me know.. average 2200 per copy with 35% commission. you do the math.

 

[02 WIFE]

I'll take money.

 

[nickf2005]

money buys happiness. anyone that says otherwise is a moron

To a certain point...

My point:

Job 1: Pay = ~$130,000 Work Environment = Crappy customers, dealing with public, real threat of being robbed and have been robbed in the past. You can't carry, but only hope that you don't wind up shot. Crappy Hours with no end in sight and promotion is nearly impossible. Boss is terrible and is not willing to move you out of the store. Benefits ranking = 7/10

Job 2: Pay = ~$110,000 Work Environment = Closed door facility, no public dealing, bad guys can't get in without keycard. Still crappy hours, but possibility of promotion with better hours and better pay. Boss looks at you as an equal and gives you the respect you deserve. Benefits ranking = 6/10.

You can't tell me that with Job 1, that you'll be happier with the $20,000 in your pocket when you're carring $0 in debt.

 

[CobraBob]

I have a couple of friends who have jobs that pay very well but are very demanding. So they are outwardly happy, but unhappy inside. If I had to choose between a (negatively) demanding job with higher pay that I knew would not keep/make me happy, or a job with lesser pay that was all-around great (and demanding in a positive way) that would bring me short and long term happiness, I'd choose the latter in a heart beat. JMO.

 

[vettez062002]

To a certain point...

My point:

Job 1: Pay = ~$130,000 Work Environment = Crappy customers, dealing with public, real threat of being robbed and have been robbed in the past. You can't carry, but only hope that you don't wind up shot. Crappy Hours with no end in sight and promotion is nearly impossible. Boss is terrible and is not willing to move you out of the store. Benefits ranking = 7/10

Job 2: Pay = ~$110,000 Work Environment = Closed door facility, no public dealing, bad guys can't get in without keycard. Still crappy hours, but possibility of promotion with better hours and better pay. Boss looks at you as an equal and gives you the respect you deserve. Benefits ranking = 6/10.

You can't tell me that with Job 1, that you'll be happier with the $20,000 in your pocket when you're carring $0 in debt.

big difference in this breakdown vs what the thread is all about.

 

[Zemedici]

I have a couple of friends who have jobs that pay very well but are very demanding. So they are outwardly happy, but unhappy inside. If I had to choose between a (negatively) demanding job with higher pay that I knew would not keep/make me happy, or a job with lesser pay that was all-around great (and demanding in a positive way) that would bring me short and long term happiness, I'd choose the latter in a heart beat. JMO.

yes. all of this.

 

[nickf2005]

big difference in this breakdown vs what the thread is all about.

That may be, but I was offering another viewpoint to...

money buys happiness. anyone that says otherwise is a moron

In my example, the extra money does not buy happiness. Basically hits on what Bob stated above.

 

[04svtterm]

he's 26 not 46, there is nothing wrong with hustling to get where he needs to at this point in his life. it's not like he doesn't have an option to change jobs when he wants. nHe doesn't have a wife or kids yet, use this free time to really set yourself up. Happiness with your work place is important, but getting rooted is more important at this stage of his life IMO. Better to have the extra cash flow now to pay off what he has to or save what he need (new house or whatever), so when he does have kids and a wife to support, he's already ahead of the curve. Rather than, the "i'm comfortable where i'm at" but it doesn't pay enough so i have to get a second job, or then look for a higher paying job. Extra cash will never hurt anyone. Nothing wrong with taking the opportunity. staying in the "comfort zone" can be a killer. Challenge yourself, earn some extra bucks and you might even enjoy it. You truly will never know until you have done it. I would rather be unhappy with a job, then not have one or have one that doesn't make enough to support my family.

Dont sell yourself short.

I wish you the best of luck OP, this decision will effect you from here on. Hope you choose what's best for your needs & lifestyle.

 

[hoamskilet]

money buys happiness. anyone that says otherwise is a moron

This is just a bullshit statement. There are plenty of people out there that have plenty of money but aren't happy.

 

[dom418]

money buys happiness. anyone that says otherwise is a moron

Yeah I don't know about that one. I sell an antidepressant for a pharma company and have some of the most affluent areas of Illinois. Lake Forest, Winnetka, Hinsdale etc. guess where my business is coming from? It's not from the middle class cities. Those rich folks have more problems than anyone and the psych offices are full of people with anxiety, depression and marriage problems. Now there are those who are wealthy and are happy on the inside too. The one dude in here seems to be that guy, But the blanket statement by Big Winner is not true for all.

 

[SHOdown220]

Thanks again everyone who has contributed. Just as an update higher paying job called me back today to let me know I was a finalist and we will talk next week during a short phone interview to set up some dates (for exactly what I'm not sure). I'm still waiting for another phone interview from the other company. I was told I should receive an email with details for my next interview but haven't received anything as of yet.

 

[thebestofindica]

I'm 32 years old and my engineering degree has treated me well. My first job was engineering and managing projects for a design/build firm. I was making six figures in my mid twenties, but was stressed to the max. I ended up changing careers. A few years has gone by and I'm back in the same business. I looked in to other careers that I thought may be less stressful (upper level math or physics teacher, etc), but I didn't think they would satisfy my thirst. I'm a very motivated and goal-oriented person and I realize that it requires mental toughness to get ahead personally and professionally. I'm a very Type A personality. I honestly think that any job worth making a career out of is going to have some level of stress at times, so why not pursue a career that pays well? That's my story; it's interesting to hear other perspectives.

 

[vettez062002]

just heard a great line.. money isnt everything... buts its right under oxygen. and a interesting stat.. 20% of the population makes 80% of the populations income..
75% of americans. dont have enough saved for a 6 month disaster (ex. job loss, sickness, ect)

 

[thomas91169]

Money.

Nobody is ever not happy on a waverunner.

 

[thomas91169]

Yeah I don't know about that one. I sell an antidepressant for a pharma company and have some of the most affluent areas of Illinois. Lake Forest, Winnetka, Hinsdale etc. guess where my business is coming from? It's not from the middle class cities. Those rich folks have more problems than anyone and the psych offices are full of people with anxiety, depression and marriage problems. Now there are those who are wealthy and are happy on the inside too. The one dude in here seems to be that guy, But the blanket statement by Big Winner is not true for all.

They're probably depressed that they live in Illinois.

 

[john_anch_ak]

Happiness, much better for your health. No amount of money can buy happiness.