In your case I would say that you should NOT pursue the PhD. However, to counter some of the ridiculous comments I've read...
1. I get to work on the problems that interest me most.
2. I make more money than I would starting at an unfunded startup. It is more than enough to live on.
3. I'm working towards the union card for interesting research jobs and/or academia. These jobs are for people who like to work on problems that interest them.
4. PhD's typically make higher salaries than other degrees. The statistics show that the payoff is only marginally better, if at all, to get a PhD over a masters. However, these statistics include people who work in academia who have intentionally given up salary in exchange for intellectual freedom and thus bring down the average. On the other hand, a lot of people who get terminal masters are doing so to get the bump in salary.
5. I love what I do.
However, if you aren't at all interested in academia and/or research there is no reason to get a PhD. If you'd "much rather like to start working" than you have already made the decision.
1. I get to work on the problems that interest me most.
2. I make more money than I would starting at an unfunded startup. It is more than enough to live on.
3. I'm working towards the union card for interesting research jobs and/or academia. These jobs are for people who like to work on problems that interest them.
4. PhD's typically make higher salaries than other degrees. The statistics show that the payoff is only marginally better, if at all, to get a PhD over a masters. However, these statistics include people who work in academia who have intentionally given up salary in exchange for intellectual freedom and thus bring down the average. On the other hand, a lot of people who get terminal masters are doing so to get the bump in salary.
5. I love what I do.
However, if you aren't at all interested in academia and/or research there is no reason to get a PhD. If you'd "much rather like to start working" than you have already made the decision.