<prompt> Human: I currently have a job that is very comfortable for me. I enjoy the work, flexible hours, generous raises around 6, comfortable pay 42k and my immediate boss appreciates my work and is outstanding. However, I do not have much in line of benefits. No retirement package, 401k, and insurance isnt provide at all but I do get a 200 stipend to cover premium costs. Also, I work almost entirely alone so no co-workers to engage which is good for stress bad for social interaction.Recently I was offered a new job. It is a government position. The benefits are notoriously outstanding with a competitive retirement package, outstanding insurance, and job security for the future. If I accept it I would be taking a pay cut 40k and future pay is limited to a pay schedule with raises based on longevity and it is typically 1 a year.Which is the wiser choice for me financially? To make the decision harder, I believe my current work will make me happier and be less stressful based on such a flexible schedule as it fits my lifestyle better. I cant put a price or value on that when comparing it to the new position. That being said, the new position could be more rewarding work, a stepping stone towards greater things, and I would work with others on a daily basis and possibly meet lifelong friends.UPDATE: First and foremost, thank you all for the excellent advice and input! Its been very helpful to read other peoples views on the situation. It was and STILL is a tough decision.For anyone keeping track or curious what I have decided I did the following today. I met with my current boss CEO and founder of the company and basically had a conversation with him. I told him I had been offered another job with great benefits and a secure future. I told him the reasons Im torn and still undecided. We discussed it for a bit and I reminded him I am still willing to vest myself in his business but that I am looking for reassurance he will be vested in me for the long haul on my behalf just as I am for his. He knows Im looking to start a family and he knows I enjoy my work and the freedom it offers. We eventually came up with the idea of expanding my role within the company and I asked for a substantial raise to go along with it 20. This would give me peace of mind on any benefits I would be passing up on the government position and allow me a comfortable wage to start a family while giving me a new challenge at work. He told me he understood my concerns and would let me know by the end of the week. Its a generous request but he seemed understanding of the other offer Im willing to give up.Secondly, I called the supervisor for the government position. I asked a few remaining questions about specifics and asked for an extension on the job offer. I outlined how serious I have been taking the offer and she granted me another 24 hours to come to a decision. Unfortunately I likely wont hear back in time from my current supervisor within the 24 hour extension on the new job offer. I may have made the choice more difficult on myself :-Assistant: In all likelihood its not a pay decrease. Your take home will be lower but you will have a few more tax advantageous avenues that soften the blow of your pay decrease that you will reap later in your working career. You dont mention how much your health insurance is costing you but I would expect it exceeds the 200 stipend you are provided. You are using after tax dollars to fund that, where as with the new job you will be spending pre tax dollars. Another thing you didnt mention was what kind of contributions you must make to retirement with the government job vs your current job. In all likelihood the government job takes pre-tax money to fund the retirement. To add another wrench into the equation is your happiness level. Only you can decide what is ultimately the best thing for you. I had a similar decision to make recently new job, more hours vs current job, more flexibility and chose to stay in my current position because I really couldnt assign a value to my happiness in my current job. Human: You are correct. My current 200 stipend does not cover all of my health insurance costs and after tax money is used for the rest. I am not sure what the limits are to retirement contribution in the new position but I do know they are matched and are pre-tax. Currently, I am embarrassed to admit, but have not been funding my retirement at all.This has been the hardest decision of my life. I was offered the position on Friday afternoon and asked for the weekend to think it over. I have been racking my brain and stressing over the decision all weekend. I promised to call back first thing Monday today and I have about two more hours and am still undecided. Ultimately, I have decided it should come down to my happiness but I am not sure if happiness flexible schedule or if happiness sound future and more friends.  <response>: I was offered the position on Friday afternoon and asked for the weekend to think it overThis seems like a really short and unreasonable time frame. It might be worthwhile to call them, tell them you need some more time, and maybe ask if theres anything they can offer to make the decision easier, as youre on the fence. Worst they can say is no as long as you ask nicely. 