money isn't everything. . .

Yeah, well, neither is oxygen. Just because something isn't sufficient, doesn't mean it isn't necessary. You just have to figure out what's the best way to get it, and whether you're over-efforting the getting of it.
I could go after a master's degree. That should increase my ability to earn a salary on my own terms. But -- financially, temporally -- would it be worth it? Is there an even exchange there, or is there something other than advanced education that's holding me back the most?

My new mantra for the next few weeks is "it isn't supposed to be easy". I need to better acclimate myself to this one.