Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

If so, was it a huge adjustment for you and how did things turn out?

I'm getting really worn down these days and miserable. To the point that I'm almost in tears when I leave work everyday from the stress and just not being able to get everything tdone in time hat needs to be done.

My DH always tells me I don't realize how lucky I am for the high paying job I have and that we couldn't afford the things we did if I didn't it but sometimes I really, truly just would love to have a 5-day a week, 9-5 job that I didn't have to constantly worry about.

Has anyone done this, and if so, were you happy in the long run?

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

I wouldn't say my job was HIGH paying, but it certainly was double what I made when I took my current job. The adjustment was ok in terms of money, it happened at a time when I didn't need the extra money (well, maybe not need, but when it was just that, extra), and I am SO happy I did it. I was miserable at my other job. I didn't sleep M-F because of my anxiety about going to work the next day. I was depressed and it was just a real disaster for me. I worked at the job for a year so I could support both JT and myself while he finished his degree. That was the ONLY reason I stayed. Once JT was done with school and could work F/T again, I high-tailed it out of there.
I'm a much happier person because of it. In the end, if you're not happy, then nothing else matters.

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

I turned down a job paying double in the city to be able to work in long island. Will you be abletosurvice without the money?

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

Yes, I worked in the World Financial Center in Downtown Manhattan. I had enough and decided to move out east (where I grew up) and started my own business- definitely a paycut... but so worth it. You can't put a price tag on happiness!

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

this is definitely not the same scenario as yours, but I took a pay cut and changed my career years ago. best decision I ever made! the pay cut was not HUGE, but it was noticeable for sure. I made it up in a few years anyway.

good luck to you

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

Yes. I was working at a very high paying job but I was working all the time. I quit. Best decision I ever made. Sure we don't have as much money in the bank and can't really save like we did before but at least we have time to enjoy our lives!

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

I considered taking a lower paying job last year. I had enough of the stress, late hours and lack of a life... The lower paying job did not work out... I was offered the position, but the piece of business that I was set to work on fell through.. I ended up landing somewhere else that I was happier, but still had crazy hours, but I made more money than the job I hated.

I am sorta back in the same predicament-- I make a great living, but sometimes I can't wait til I can put myself out to pasture with a lower paying, more regular hours job outside of Manhattan... when I have kids, I will more seriously look into making a change. But for now, I love that I can save money, take two lavish vacations in a year, buy whatever I want, etc.

If an opportunity was presented today--- I would seriously consider it though.

Message edited 6/9/2009 4:15:38 PM.

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

I wouldn't call it a high paying job but it was 1.5 times what I was making at the time.

I was getting married & turned down an event director job at a museum in Manhattan so I could leave at 5pm. I loved event planning but I knew if I wanted a family that particular job would not have worked out.

There are somethings you couldn't pay me enough to miss. The bedtime story is one of them.

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

Yes, I left public accounting to become a school teacher. I make about half of what I would have been making had I stayed in accounting - but I don't regret it for a single second!!

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

I left my job - working for a real idiot, even tho I was pretty independent and worked from home - to start my own business in direct competition with my former employer.

I make less $$, but I am sooo much happier. And, I am my own boss! Can't beat that. Also is the best case scenario for when baby comes...end of May. I wasn't pg when I made this decision but we were trying.

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

In early 2002, I left my engineering job in the city to work closer to home. When I found my job on LI, it wasn't necessarily a pay cut, but a time cut. I found a job 10 minutes from home and no longer had to spend 3+ hours a day commuting at the mercy of the LIRR.

It was so amazing with what it did for me. I felt so much relief, I had more time to do my own things and I got more sleep... So worth it.

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

yep! i left a management position because i was spending more time at the office/travelling, then i was spending with my DD.

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

Yes, when I made the decision to move to USA to be with DH. Packed in my fab job with Sony in UK, sold my car (boohoo - LOVED my car) my house packed up my 2 cats and moved here, didn't know a single person but DH. Best thing I ever did. Work from home now with DH, I have a bunch of great freinds, and I am happy, still got my cats, got a new nice car and I have been here 8 years. I was nervous to make such a big jump at the time, but I am glad I did.

Re: Has anyone sacrificed a high paying job for quality of life?

I had a very high paying job that almost killed me. Never again.