Did you give up so much potential income that you couldn’t meet your short term and long term wants and needs? What did you give up in your lifestyle that you

Did you give up so much potential income that you couldn’t meet your short term and long term wants and needs? What did you give up in your lifestyle that you personally valued to choose a lower paying job? I’m 50, (step)kids are grown, we downsized from the big house in the burbs to a condo in a state tax free state, etc and while I could make “FAANG” total compensation (been there done that), I much prefer a more laid back job, remote work, freedom to travel,etc. I also have always hated large companies. I would have made different choices a decade ago if the opportunities had arisen. I’m well aware that my income puts me at the top quintile of household income (while still lower than a mid level developer at any of the BigTech companies). https://dqydj.com/household-income-percentile-calculator/ https://dqydj.com/household-income-percentile-calculator/ Be as vague as you are comfortable with. But where are you with respect to the median income locally?