What do you do when you are locked in the "golden" handcuffs i.e. high paying job

[dfrecore]

I hate the golden handcuffs! I feel like so many government workers (in particular) get so bored, and hate their jobs, but feel like they can't quit - and then they stay and make others miserable along with themselves. I'm not saying this happens to everyone, but it certainly happens enough. My parents both worked at Pacific Bell/SW Bell/AT&T for 30 years, and I'd listen to them at the dinner table discussing their jobs, and I thought "there is NO WAY I would ever stay at a company and put up with that crap for 30 years, I'd rather put my own eye out with a spork!"

Sometimes, I feel like you have to take a step or two back to make some giant leaps forward, and it may be worth it for many people. But with what you're describing, it sounds like you have to take about 50 steps back to take 5 forward, and it does not sound like a good tradeoff to me.

My advice would be to keep looking for better opportunities. You've just kind of restricted yourself to 2 options, and I don't think that's all there are out there. There are probably dozens of other opportunities available right now, and you've overlooking all of them. Especially if you're willing to move to a new area of the country.

Good luck!