[newnamenewface]

Can I ask, was this sacrifice necessary? Were you earning decent wages or was he actually struggling to make ends meet? It is far more selfish to pursue more money than you (or your kids) need and miss out on your children's formative years than to just hold a single decent paying job.

[mise_en_place]

So the company was a startup in the Bay Area, SF-based. At that time the wages were very competitive, and he was more senior than I was so most likely he was getting paid very well. He told me he wanted to save up as much as possible while maximizing his income, so he could buy a house in a cheaper cost of living area. He did succeed in that endeavor, and last I spoke with him still does the two job thing.

I know for me personally, one job is enough, especially considering that I like to maintain a very generous work-life balance (leaning heavily to the life side of the ratio). Not sure if his sacrifice was necessary, as I was also able to buy a house, it just took me longer. But some people are very type A workaholic types.