Given the choice: a job you love, or a job that pays well...

w11tho · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:37

I'm sure there are lots of people who read the title and immediately said to themselves "definitely a job I love", but hear me out. The job that offers cash could set you up financially for life after 10 years or so of hard slog. The job you love wont earn you much and doesn't have any kind of big earning potential.

In a hypothetical situation such as this, what would you do?

Biohazard · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:38

love.

SideWinder · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:40

It would honestly depend on the jobs in question. I am a firm believer in money can bring me happiness.

jak731 · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:40

definitly job i love, if you enjoy working and get on with your workmates, it will more likely be a lot less stressful

Housey · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:40

It depends on where you are in your life or what your ambitions are I would suggest.

Sonea Fifer · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:41

Without a doubt - I'd do a job i love for national minimum wage before doing a job i loath for £60/70K

NiccoLau · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:42

Money.

Biohazard · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:42

NiccoLau said:
Money.

love > money

SCM · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:42

A job i love no doubt now

shauncr91 · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:42

Money.

Biohazard · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:43

SCM said:
A job i love no doubt now

Why is that?

w11tho · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:43

Biohazard said:
love.

What if you're providing for others? Should it be more important to provide them with all that you can, rather than with all you're willing to give in return for something you enjoy?

(I'm playing devils advocate here - I can't decide on an answer myself)

West · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:43

Depends tbh, i've just scored my dream job working in the Emergency Services...and the pay isn't that bad either, 19k respectable for someone like me

So an equal balance of both...

Biohazard · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:43

w11tho said:
What if you're providing for others? Should it be more important to provide them with all that you can, rather than with all you're willing to give in return for something you enjoy?

(I'm playing devils advocate here - I can't decide on an answer myself)

no, they can look after themselves.

w11tho · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:45

Biohazard said:
no, they can look after themselves.

Interesting outlook. I guess if you're all out for No.1, then it's an easier decision.

Dr Love · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:45

I have had both and it would be 'love' everytime. I took a large pay decrease to do my current job and i've never been happier. It also reflects on people around you, ie family and friends.

paradigm · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:46

Biohazard said:
no, they can look after themselves.

And raising a family?

Surely a family would give you more "love" than a job, and thus, I'd choose the money option.

Biohazard · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:46

w11tho said:
Interesting outlook. I guess if you're all out for No.1, then it's an easier decision.

Not really out for No 1, but if they do the same and find something they love... people aren't so into possessions then.

Housey · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:46

One should not forget that someones 'money' is another persons small change. As the money grows more often than not the love falls off at an expotential rate and in turn your outlook changes.

Money is lovely, it buys toys n stuff but its a balance that I have found changes over your lifetime.

Biohazard · 7 Mar 2008 at 20:46

paradigm said:
And raising a family?

Surely a family would give you more "love" than a job, and thus, I'd choose the money option.

Edit: I have no children, so when pondering this it never came to mind. I think you would have to say that would all depend.

You could lose a family by doing a job you hate too! Years of being ground away daily can have a big impact on a person, particularly depending on what they do of course.