[tvelichkov]

So you did learn programming, because you wanted a great paycheck 13 years later? Lol, that's just stupid. I advised everyone from my circle to stay away from programming unless they fell in love with it. It's pointless to be a programmer if you don't have it in your heart.

However, if you did enjoy, then there is nothing to be upset about, I mean you are doing what you love right? If its all about your paycheck you could try finding another employer, but not everything in this life should go around money, there are more important things, find people who could appreciate you and your values, be happy what you do and maybe the money will come later.

[UncleMeat]

Really? If I didn't have to work I wouldn't write another line of code in my life. But its a great career that hits all of the notes I wanted for a job. What's wrong with that?

[tvelichkov]

> I wouldn't write another line of code in my life.

I personally see this as a problem, having to do something I don't like.. for years... probably for life?

[swiley]

>So you did learn programming, because you wanted a great paycheck 13 years later?

I don't know, I did something similar and didn't care about how much I would get paid. I learned because I loved it.

But almost no one warned me about what I was missing out on because they kept saying that I was spending my time well based on the whole money thing. (in fact, there where many people who said I was spending my time better than most of my peers because of this.)

[tvelichkov]

You are 27 right now right? Your life has just started, what did you actually miss that you cannot do now?

[cutler]

I take it you're single. Factor in the requirements of mortgage and supporting a family then consider whether you have the option of only doing what you love. I'd love to programme exclusively in Clojure but the job market dictates otherwise. Python's the most likely and at least it's not PHP or Java but that's as good as it'll get for steady money.

[tvelichkov]

Nah, I have 3yrs old son, but this does not stop me from trying to make living with something I love to do. I actually think that if you hate your job, but make good money, this will be worst for your family/kids, because you are gonna start bringing all this negative energy at home.

[jondubois]

I was passionate for the first 11 years. The last 2 I did it for the money.

After solving so many difficult problems in my life, I feel that the only difficult problem left for me to solve is making lots of money.