Need some advice and opinions here. About to make a jump from my current employment and there are 2 opportunities that I’ve landed on. I’m stuck trying to make a decision between them – do I pick the job that gives me less pay but more flexibility, or the job that’s more high stress but high paying?

Employment opportunity 1 – startup, doesn’t pay as well as I’d like (5% increment only) but it’s super flexible, remote first and management style seems more laid back (less micromanaging SG style, western founders). Oh and lack perks like healthcare insurance but give other perks like remote work subsidies.

Employment opportunity 2 – well known MNC, pay is high (+30% increment) but it’ll be more high stress, need to be in office at least 4 days a week. Benefits slightly better (healthcare insurance mostly).

Some context for consideration:

have a young family with a 3 year old girl. I’d like to spend more time with her because you only get so much time when they’re a kid.

we just bought a condo. Can afford it comfortably mortgage wise. It’s not a huge place but fits our small family well.

at our current jobs, we save >30% of our income. Out of which most goes into investments into the S&P500.

Sorry if too long, would like some input from the community if anyone has been in a similar situation before!

Here are what netizens have to say

Depends on your tolerance for work stress, or whether you priority your personal life or professional life more, and by how much.

It does sound like you wish to spend more time with your kid and aren’t hurting for cash, so I would take employment opportunity 1 to have an easier everyday life. But then again, I’m the kind of person to prioritise my personal life.

Take up the employment opportunity 2 for the CV and to pay your bank account for a few years. You have a young kid and a condo mortgage so added cash you’ll definitely need. Downgrade to a job with more work life balance later so you can spend more time with your kid.

I know people who have died young – accident, cancer – in their 30s. This attitude that you can put off the meaningful things in life to earn money now is a gamble. I would say go for employment opportunity 1: you can afford it, and it would allow you to do what you really want to do, which is to be a parent to your kid.

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