I have a great quality of life and that came from my choosing engineering as a profession. As far as pay, early on I was struggling, but I was never satisfied that my employeers were understanding of my value. I never blamed the employeers, I took it upon myself to find employers that did understand my value and would compensate me for it....
I think job satisfaction comes into the bargain as well as variety in the work for me. Money isn't 1-2-3, but it's a necessary evil. I'm sure everyone has there own definition of what quality of life means, but for me it stems from the things mentioned above (as well as a nice cold beer on a Friday). That said, if money hadn't been invented, then I'd still be a happy Engineer doing what I do now.
Although, it might be different if you asked me on a monday morning...
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Most definately quality of life! I agree with casseopeia.
As you get older most will choose less pay for more time off. I'd gladly give up salary for more vacation time and less time in the office.
Heck, I'd do engineering as a part-time job if it was more acceptable in our line of work. Unfortunately that is not the case. (If any of you find otherwise, please let me know! ;-) )
As a struggling young engineer with very little pay, I longed for higher paying positions. At this point in my career, I could definitely use more money, but current salary is enough to sustain a decent lifestyle. I used to work long hours and not enough time spent at home. Now, I wouldn't sacrifice my valuable time with my family over more money.
I should add that I LOVE what I do for a living; a structural engineer. So many people hate thier chosen jobs. I'm doing what I've wanted to do since I was 13 years old. BUT, that said I just wish I did not have to do it 40hours a week. I think my life-work balance shifted after having a family of my own to care for. Like so many of you have already said, you can't buy back time.
To me, quality of life is more important, at least considering where I am in my life. I would still encourage those with few roots to seek that $$$, as it tends to effect the rate for any later positions. However, once those roots start to take hold, family and home life should take precedence.
Very true Tick. Same thing happened to me. But if you don't go looking for that better opportunity you'll never find it. Having the courage to take that leap makes all the difference.
I do agree with the "young and single" going after the $$$, as long as you don't mind ending up with a job that you willl likely leave when your priorities change. Unfortunately, the days of working at the same place for life are gone. When I first started working I thought that I would work at that place the rest of my working life so it was hard to take that leap to look for other work.
It is part of our nature to be never satisfied with what we have and envy the next guy who seems to make more. I would rather make just enough to get by and have enough time to enjoy life.
You can work hard to become a millionaire but after you spend the first dollar you are no longer a millionaire. You will have to get another million just to maintain the first one.
I am currently switching to another company, and a big influence was "quality of life." I am taking less pay, but drastically shorter commute and more time off. Granted many things went into the decision, but having a wife and a 2yr old little girl was probable the greatest influence. I will save an average of 2hrs a day on commute, and that is an extra 2hrs with the ones that really matter. I wish I could see her all day everyday, but that is not life, so the more I see them the happier I am as a person.
No matter how bad my day is at work, I know I can come home to a child that can brighten my day with just a smile. That could change when she is a teenager, but for now, I'm good.
Last thing, I like what I do, but it is not who I am, my family will be my legacy.
Money becomes far less important when you have enough of it.
When it is a matter of paying the bills and keeping a roof over your head, money is very important, when you have enough to get by but wonder do I want to work more hours just so I can have a newer car or some other better commodity than the perfectly good one you already own, it is not a hard call to make, at least for me.
Keeping a roof over one's head factors into the quality of life question too, though. Part of the decision must consider how various things that money can buy affect quality of life. (Am I miserable living in a slum with all my free time? Do I have any time left to play with all the nice toys I bought with my considerable overtime pay?)
I work for the government, and one of the things I liked about coming to work here is I was surrounded by people who value time over money. My kinda crowd. Definitely a quality-of-life bias. I figure one might find a way to use extra time to make extra money, but one can't use the extra money to buy extra time.
"...one might find a way to use extra time to make extra money, but one can't use the extra money to buy extra time."
A good turn of phrase, Hg. I like that.
I know what you mean. I have a 6month old son. He's the best thing that has ever happened to me. I'd love to see him all day everyday. I also love my career. I'm very blessed to have a job I enjoy. But I'd much rather do my job part-time and be with my family more. I don't even care if my salary is a lot less workng part-time. Unfortunately in our line of work there is not much opportunity for part-time work. (If anyone can prove me wrong on that I'd be happy to hear about it!)
IRStuff,
If we listen to our hearts on how much money is enough I think most would be satisfied. But too often we get "caught-up" in making money. The more you earn the more you spend. I've had to deal with that in my life. But when I sit and really think and look at my life I'd give most of it away to spend more time with the people in my life that I care about.
I know this is going off at a bit of a tangent from the money vs life balance but its entertained me this week so I want to share (even if no one else cares!)
Our client has recently set up a new "business model" for want of a better phrase where all his where all his consultants and clients work together in one big happy clappy partnership all based within the clients office, which means that most people working here now commute from all over the UK to spend Monday to Friday at the clients office and only get to go home at weekend. On a recent "Employee Satisfaction Survey" we were asked if we agree or disagree with the following statement
The xxxx partnership provides a good work / life balance.
Hmmm maybe if the life part of the balance refers to the time spent behind the wheel trying to get a little time at home to see my family! It wouldn't be quite so frustrating if the money came with the disruption but the compensation is peanuts. Time to dust off the CV I think...
