I’m curious, in which ways do you feel that money made you happier? As in, what were the important things it has enabled for you that weren't available under, say, an average engineer's salary?
Not the material aspect of what it can buy - but the freedom to not have to work is where the big boost of happiness came from for me, though I cannot guarantee it would for you if you truly love your career. For me, programming was always just a tool, a job, a means to an end. Sure it's kind of interesting, but there's far more interesting ways to spend my time.
Also, I hate bosses, performance reviews, bullshit non-producing jobs who make up the majority of your tech peers, commutes, forced social small talk with people you don't like, etc. So even if I 100% loved what I did everyday, I wouldn't like all that BS that comes with it.
Now, being able to spend my time as I please with full autonomy - that is where the incredible boost in my happiness has come from
I guess it depends on your job. I have significant control over what I do and at least a decent chunk of it is stuff I would enjoy doing anyway. (Normally) I like to travel and like having a lot of interactions with peers at my own and other companies. Bureaucracy is annoying but not overly so. Not to say I won't retire--I will--but I'm also not in a big hurry and could probably negotiate some incremental time off if that became a big issue.
Agreed, freedom and autonomy to do what I want and like is what really makes me happy and money is simply a means to that end. I'm still just getting started and nowhere near where I want to be so the hustle continues...
Also, I hate bosses, performance reviews, bullshit non-producing jobs who make up the majority of your tech peers, commutes, forced social small talk with people you don't like, etc. So even if I 100% loved what I did everyday, I wouldn't like all that BS that comes with it.
Now, being able to spend my time as I please with full autonomy - that is where the incredible boost in my happiness has come from