I don't care how much do I get nor how much time I have to put into it as long as I like doing it and have something to eat.
I don't care if suits call me stupid behind my back or take advantage of that. They can keep their money, while I keep my passion: I think I get the better end of the deal.
And I'll try to stay that way :)
Working for a below-market salary as someone with little external responsibilities is actively damaging to those with such dependencies. If a company knows they'll find someone to program for $50k a year if they just wait long enough, they are extremely unlikely to hire the person who demands and is worth $120k a year.
Maybe it's enough now. But in 20 years, when you start to have medical expenses, kids, you may regret that you didn't earn a little more while you still could, especially if all you have are technical skills.
I have the feeling that you don't value much your work to accept this state of affairs between you and whoever employs you. If you deliver quality products and can negotiate a bit, employers will pay you more and you will feel respected for your work. Go get paid for what you're worth, not just for being able to keep food on your plate. It's not OK to continue being exploited.
Same thing with currency, as long the threshold is met, the rest is worthless (IMO).
It's not that I don't value my work, but instead that more money doesn't mean more value for me, so even if a company wanted to reward me more they couldn't add more value through money.
Don't you think having a peaceful life doing what you like to do in exchange for your work is a fair deal? I think it is ^ ^
Aynways, the currency does still matter. Take it, throw it in a retirement account, and then build whatever the hell you want post-retirement. Building X might be fun, but after N years building slight variations of X you'll probably want to go off and make something else. Maybe even something people won't pay you to make. And then having those extra $$$ will make all the difference in the world.
For money, 'Enough' is FU money (i.e. not having to work again in your life).
This is all fine and dandy when say you're working for a non-profit, or DWB, or open source or whatever else betterment of mankind.
The point here is that sure you're doing what you love and that's enough for you, but the only one benefitting from it is your employer. If you don't feel that you need that money, negotiate for it and donate it to something of your choice and feel even better about what you're doing, but don't line someone elses pockets with your benevolence.
That's my 2 cents.
If you're having trouble making sense of that, it's because the way money and RAM function are fundamentally different, so it makes for a poor metaphor.
Money is important. It may not be as important as your health, but it comes close. Money buys freedom from the slavery of having to work. Until you have enough money to never have to work again, you are not free.
When you do, you can spend all your time working on and doing whatever you like, pursuing whatever passions you wish. If your current passions are valuable to employers, get the most money possible you can out of it. You are not a charity.
Even if if you feel this way now, you're screwing over your future self (and possibly family) by not building a solid financial foundation.
For example, when I (hopefully) reach that point, I'll probably still code websites because I like to do that, but I won't do it 40 hours a week.
An important part of it is realizing what is enough.
Some people pay to do things they find fun.
But don't get exploited. Seriously.
I think many HN readers here could tell you that the better you ensure your compensation the better the work itself is.
The respect you get from "the suits" comes both in pay and in the kinds of work you get to do.
I don't like money either, but I also have a house, 2 cars, a wife and kid.... And I'm underpaid and happy. I have a nice job with a good work life balance (as in <40h on average) and so I actually have time on the side for projects I really enjoy. I have (growing) savings and a 401k. There's no reason to waste your life on the love of money. Just know your needs and make enough to cover them.
Product of this weekend's free time: http://i.imgur.com/73PmOSf.webm
You're definitely not getting the better end of the deal.