That's exactly why I'm sticking with the English teaching thing. Sure, I could work towards being a lawyer or something because it'll get me more money, but I wouldn't enjoy that. It's just jurisdiction and paperwork and more jurisdiction and... ugh. No thanks. My pay will be meager, but I'll spend a lifetime doing something I want. And really, that's what life is, at least in my eyes. Why do something I'm going to hate for the rest of my life? Sure, I'll have money, but at what cost? A lifetime of misery? No thanks.
Bolded for emphasis. You nailed it... That's exactly what I want to avoid. I mean, sure, doing either of those would have me making more money than I do now, but it's not the reason behind me wanting to do them. Those are just things that I find interesting and enjoyable (problem-solving in general).
I really like to keep things in my life simple. I actually feel like I've got too much as it is. I'm not really the kind of person who wants very many "things" so much as the ability to provide enough to be comfortable and enjoy life.
I don't get jealous of people who have nice things, but I do feel bad for the ones who don't realize they don't need them, or the ones who think that because they do have nice things, that they're somehow entitled to better treatment.