Poll Results: $250K/Year for 10 Years vs. $500K Cash Today — What Would You Choose?

[Devin James]

I ran a poll recently on LinkedIn asking:

If you could choose one of these right now, which would you pick and why?

  - $250K/year job (10-year contract)

  - $500K cash today

Out of 58 votes:

 67% chose the $500K cash

  33% chose the $250K/year salary

Personally, I’d take the cash. The dont like the idea of having a capped income for the next decade.

But I totally get the appeal of the salary. Its comforting knowing you’ve locked in consistent income for 10 years. 

Which would you pick — and why? How would you use the cash? Or what would you do with the steady salary?

Would love to hear from folks in different stages — whether you’re just getting started or you’ve built a solid base already.