[throwaway1633]

I quit my job around four months ago, voluntarily leaving behind a cushy $560k yearly comp. Nothing lined up, just decided I needed a break.

It's been a good decision so far. The stock market has been performing well lately, which has been good for my savings during this time of unemployment.

It has yet to be seen whether I "threw it all away". Everyone close to me seems to think it was a rash decision and a big step back in my career. They might be right. I think I'll be difficult to get a job with the same compensation I had before. When I rejoin the job market, I'll probably be a few steps back.

But as of now, I have yet to see any negative repercussions! Just a long relaxing vacation. Ask me again in another eight months when I decide it's time to start looking for a job again and I might have a different answer. We'll see.

[mysterypie]

For how many years had you been earning the $560k ballpark? Had you kept it up for 10 years total, another option would have been to retire permanently, move someplace cheap, and live happily ever after.

To flesh out some numbers: $560k minus $100k in taxes, minus another $100k for living comfortably per year, leaves $360k that you can save each year. If you earned 4% on that savings, you have about $5M in 10 years. If you moved somewhere cheap worldwide, you could live lavishly spending $100,000 a year for 50 years. I say lavishly because you are living someplace cheap and this is $100k after tax.

(Assuming no extreme inflation or hyperinflation, and that your funds remain invested.)

[djmips]

Time is more valuable than money. I agree with the spirit of you post.