Yep, life ain't fair. Do your best within the life limitations presented to you, but don't lose the *most (family, or whatever it is you value the most in your non-economic life) for the least (money). There's other ways of making money in this life and still get to be happy. I'd say get the degree, and if you can diversify the mickey mouse HR BS then do so, certainly not at the expense of that which you defined as the *most valuable in your life. Many times that involves leaving money on the table. Nothing wrong with that imo.