A few days ago I was offered a job at a company that was going to give me a starting salary of 70k a year, and it's not far from where I live now. I am not rich (nor is my current job going to make me rich) so the money is a good offer.

However after living in Japan for three years, and feeling a level of happiness, freedom, and comfort I had never felt before (or since), I am planning on going back next year. The job there would be about half of the pay (35k for those that suck at math as much as me)

So the question stands. If you were in my position would you rather live a simple life, free of worrying about a materialistic lifestyle,and being happy.

Or

Or would you rather take a job where the money is good, but the stress of life will only increase.

I say if you can feasibly manage it, go back to Japan. If you take the job with the money, the entire time you'll be wishing you were there.

I go for happiness.

you've only got one life.

i can't imagine living my life in japan as an expatriate gaijin

you must be of the male gender.

BUT if you think you will be happy there go for it!

The quality of women you hook up with increases with the more money you have so i would go with money.

If money isn't for making you happy, then what is it for?

I would rather be happy

Prince once said....money can't buy you happiness, but it search does help the search.

go for the $$, if you ask me.

i could be happy...i could be happy...

purplerein said:

and who's single?

Well, ultimately happiness is more important. But money is part of the equation for being happy (for most people anyway).

You have to think long-term vs. short-term. Having more money saved up now, can mean a happier life in the future.

Hell, if I had enough money I could buy happiness.

Joyfulness

Money, I'd rather be rich and miserable than poor and miserable.

I'm a happiness kinda girl. If you know you will be that much happier making less, go for it.

actionthisday said:

I can ONLY say for ME this would be the right choice

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

"I wanna be rich. Full of love peace and happiness" - Calloway

coolcat said:

ugg, you reciting friggin calloway...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

If ur not happy with $1, ur not going to be happy with $1,000,000.

I took a job once based solely on money and hated it. It burnt me out, left me feeling unhappy and stressed and I haven't been able to work at that level since.

I would say go for enjoyment and happiness every time and eventually, if you're good, you may reach the high money-earning bracket anyway. It's far better to get there by being in a place you want to be (both physically and emotionally) than by doing for purely materialistic reasons.

I think you have already made the decision in your head, and I think it's a wise one.

Good luck in Japan!
xxx

IrresistibleB1tch said:

lead by example...give up your suv, and wine cellar.

purplerein said:

done. years ago.

IrresistibleB1tch said:

wine cellar???? really?

I don't think money brings happiness, but it sure brings peace of mind and less stress.

It's possible to have both

purplerein said:

yup. it was a pain in the ass to go downstairs all the time!

IrresistibleB1tch said:

about your aversion to exerSize...
[Edited 11/9/06 13:46pm]

purplerein said:

about your aversion to proper spelling...