To say I would rather be happy than earn loads of money?

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I've been called unambitious, and lazy in the past, all because I don't want to climb the career ladder and progress. IMO, career progression brings responsibilities and stress.

I like working in general but I don't care about earning loads, just enough to pay the bills and have a little left over. And I manage despite not earning much. I have no wish to move up but it seems to be difficult for people to understand. I would even take a job with less money if it was something Id be happy in.

The two do not have to be mutually exclusive

I love my job and I earn good money.

But in general, I’d rather be happy and manage than rich and miserable if that was the choice. However as above they are not mutually exclusive.

YANBU if you earn enough to pay your bills and provide an acceptable standard of living for yourself and any DC you have then there is nothing wrong with choosing not to aim for a better paid job

YABU if you rely heavily on benefits or rely on another adult having to do a stressful job to allow you the luxury of an easy life

Totally agree! It’s shit to not be able to pay your bills or have to worry how to get petrol/food etc. But as long as I can pay my bills, I don’t really care about having money for other stuff.

I totally jumped off the career ladder a few years back and people didn’t really get why I’d taken such a huge pay decrease. I’ve never been happier.

No, I think that's legit. And I know the two aren't necessarily mutually exclusive but for some people they are.

I understand and agree OP. I rent (will never be able to get on ladder) have a 15 year old car and a very simple home but I'm happy enough like this. I don't have any desire for latest/designer anything. I have a few friends that IMO have dream houses but their jobs are very stressful and I honestly wouldn't swap.

YANBU
I feel the same OP.
Time is more precious to me than money.

YANBU
I work 3 days to earn enough- I could work full time and earn a lot more but I’d be tired and stressed.

I can’t understand people who want to be rich! I actually find it quite vile - I think if you can be content and appreciate the fact you have enough to get by you’ve cracked it!

I feel largely the same way, although I've moved to a transport job which pays reasonably well but doesn't involve any corporate bullshit (which is what was grinding me down).

I do think there's more stigma against men who are 'unambitious' though.

I'm not sure easy life = low paid job, quite insulting and very judgy. In my experience, I have got quite far up the ladder from the bottom with a mix of bloody hard work and putting myself through uni, the further to the bottom you are, the more you are delegated to do. I used to get home absolutely bolloxed! You graft like fuck at the bottom.

I understand this . I'm just about to take a 4K drop in salary because I'm so miserable in my present job. Money will be tight though but I don't want to dread work so much that I feel sick at the thought of going in.

I'm not bothered about money beyond having "enough" either, but I am fully committed to my career, not for the money but for the status and sense of achievement it brings.

We're all different, some people find understanding that difficult.

I do think it's very difficult to be happy if you're not financially secure though.

the further to the bottom you are, the more you are delegated to do. I used to get home absolutely bolloxed! You graft like fuck at the bottom.

Obviously I'm generalising here, but the above is IME more something experienced when trying to climb the ladder. The guys working in Burger King or vape shops don't usually look too stressed.

I think it's un-ambitious avoiding career progression because of potential stress (ie responsibility) rather than money, I'm not climbing the career ladder to earn more money but because of my career ambitions, it's bizarre to assume anyone who is career minded is doing it purely for the money, most people I know are chasing careers for the responsibility, esteem and experience as opposed to finances alone (obviously money will be a factor).

Doughnut Yes sorry, I suppose I was thinking about my own sector (healthcare). You get shit on sometimes even you're not trying to climb the ladder.

But money does make you happy. I'm mortgage free with a good bit of savings. I work now because I want to, in roles I want.

Having that behind me makes me happy.

But I have noticed that I'm no longer motivated to go the extra mile like I used to. Now I'm out the gap at 4.30 regardless of what's going on at work (I take my laptop home if I need to work later though)

I don't see them as being mutually exclusive either.
The wealthier ou are, the more choices you have too - in terms of going part time / retiring early / getting people to do things you might not like doing at home, for you, etc, etc

A good friend of mine went to Cambridge, studied hard, and became a lawyer. He was promoted to become a partner in the firm, and was earning £500k a year.

The hours he worked were insane, but it let him buy a very nice house in a nice area. He’s now working far less hours in a small firm for £60k. By no means pittance, but for the area nothing at all. He agrees that happiness is better than money. Yet, somehow I do ponder whether it is easier to say this sat in a nice house in Hampstead than it is in a cold flat in a deprived ex mining village (where he was from)

I think it's a balance. I've never understood people for whom the bottom line was their take home pay, irrespective of quality of life, time with dp and dc etc. And yet, one of the most stressful things a family can go through is not having enough money for basics, emergencies etc. I think a balance is by far the best way to live. If you can work in a job you enjoy and have a lifestyle that isn't stressful, providing enough to meet your needs and save something towards a rainy day, that's a really nice way of living a rich and full life. Sounds like you are managing it OP!

far fewer* (can you tell I didn’t go to Cambridge!)

I generally agree, though it's easier to not seek promotion than it is to take a pay cut (you get used to a bit more money). But yes, work over 40 hours just for a bigger car or a better holiday? Nah.

@notanothernam When you are an anxious person, extra responsibility can bring dehabilitating stress. I can be up all night sometimes worrying, so if not wanting extra responsibility makes me unambitious then so be it.

Although obviously seniority brings responsibility, often it can be less stressful as you have more autonomy. E. G. if I have a childcare crisis I can work from home with no need to justify it to anyone whereas the guys in Burger King can't do that.

I have responsibilities but its up to me how I fulfil them, whereas more junior roles can feel more stressful because you still have a workload to get through but no control over how or when you do it.