[leinkasorafkt]

1) They were already "overextending" their generosity when I got the 95% offer of my current pay and they said that was as much I could realistically get

It does not bode well for future pay rises to be honest, but it felt somewhat good that they went beyond what one normally would get for me personally.

2) Not sure, I myself have always had sympathy with others if they were leaving a job, or understood if they decided to not join on account of a great counter-offer. This is probably easier as an IC. Feels bad to taint oneself on account of money, but it's the entire package that's enticing now, not just the extra take-home pay every month.

3) If I was sure it'd be fulfilling I think I could make do with 30% less. Right now I can do normal weeks (9-5 every day) and work at a leisurely pace and sometimes from a home office.

4) It would have been a comfortable job where I could probably make do for 10 years into the future without really expanding my horizons. That does sound scary though, at some point being 50 and knowing I missed out on a "better" career.