[nicholas73]

Take the money. 50% is too big to ignore, unless you are talking about 50% of a low number. But then again, why would you choose a company offering you peanuts?

It doesn't matter what you think of the project - your salary history follows you to better opportunities later on.

Also, we want to think we are smarter than the companies making the offers, but chances are high that the salary offer is correct. That is, you will be doing more valuable work (for both you and them) at Sears than at Deloitte.