Flamethrowing pitcher Cliff Lee spurned the New York Yankees and their bottomless bankroll for his less wealthy former team, the Philadelphia Phillies.

News reports indicate Lee left as much as $30 million dollars over the life of his contract to rejoin his old pals and move back to familiar surroundings.

The move shocked the sports world because free agents usually flock to whatever team flashes the most money. Things tend to work the same way in the corporate world, where the stakes are higher because the difference in paycheck — unlike in the lofty world of millionaire athletes — significantly alters employees’ lifestyles.

If you’ve ever dumped an offer of higher pay for intangibles, tell us in the comments what factors offset the extra money, and whether or not you regret the choice you made.

In a shocking turnabout, Phillies land Lee [Yahoo]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.