[and0]

Making less money isn't a "loser mentality", for an SWE or anyone else. I'd happily take something that paid less for good non-profit work etc (but those orgs have always been really rough for other reasons).

Also, 150k for 10 years is great if you're working in government or somewhere local in the midwest, you're still living like a king and probably super stable.

What I don't love about the OP is the crab bucket mentality, not that they don't make enough money themselves.

[zmgsabst]

Sure — good points.

OP is of course free to live whatever life they think is best — and I wish them all the success at it.

Calling other people “whiny” because you choose to live a life where you’re underpaid (as you put it, “crab bucket mentality”) is unhealthy and what I should have focused my criticism on.