Besides, it's my most productive 40 hours a week, during the prime of my life. I don't want to spend that as a work-robot who dutifully produces exactly 40 work-units, no more no less, then vanishes into the night. I find it much more fulfilling to have both personal time AND investment in my job.
The main downside of these high paying, prestigious companies is that the places they offer jobs in are usually the really expensive cities.
If you don’t answer yes to one of my questions I suggest you try one or more. I’ve gone through lots of hobbies outside my house (preferably outdoors) over the years including running, working out, walking my dog, and now kayaking.
If your able to get your work done you should swap the YouTube time for someone else outside work.
Because you won't be able to do that when you have kids. The period from 0-5 years old is just brutal on all of time, attention, and finances. Having a financial cushion is pretty critical if, for example, you get hit with $50K in hospital bills while also needing to figure out daycare and baby supplies and your wife is spending 6-8 hours/day nursing and you're both sleeping 3-4 hours/night. Many new parent problems can be solved with money, and most of the rest are a lot easier if you're not worried how to get the money.