I once had two offers come in around the same time — one with a higher salary but less flexibility, and one with better work-life balance. It was hard to know how much weight to give compensation versus overall quality of life. How do you usually approach that tradeoff when you’re deciding between offers?

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If I was in my 20s and single I’d jump at the $ every time. Now in my 50s, WLB and family time trumps everything! Work has me for at least 40 hours a week. That’s enough! I’m looking to live as stress free as possible until retirement. Too old for that insane grind at this point in my life!

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It depends entirely on the amount of the comp difference, and where I am at in my career amd life situation. When I was younger, single, and renting I would have gone for the higher salary 10 times out of 10. Now that I am older with a family, a home we love, and a pretty set monthy spend, it would take a significant raise for me to want to spend less time with my family, with eyes on what the increased income would mean flr my family in the short and long term.

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I'm interested to get it will be joy on my face because my family are looking for me i hope on going time I will get nice feedback

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I would say for me it all depends on the circumstance of my life and what is most important to me at that time; so it can be a very subjective decision. For some, work life balance will trump everything else, as they want to be able to spend time with family, on their hobbies, and passions, and not feel like they are living to work. For others, higher salary will always trump due to several responsibilities, one income household, huge amounts of loans, etc. Usually, you do not stay in one phase forever, you may choose higher salary for the first phase of your career, and then work life balance towards the end. Again, it’s all very subjective on circumstances at the relevant time. And for some, you are able to find the right balance of salary and work life balance.

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If there is too much tradeoff on salary for the WLB, I’ll usually move away from it. End of the day, I’m still spending time at work, and I do want something to show for it.

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