What to do?
I am currently working a corporate job, in an industry I have been in for 10+ years, and make relatively good money. I hate it, but it pays the bills and provides for my family. I have been checking job openings around my city for the last few months just to see what was out there because I have been so unhappy for such a long time doing what I'm doing, and happened to stumble upon a dream job. It is in an entirely different field, but my skill set is absolutely transferable from what I'm in now to what I applied for.
I made it through the first round of interviews, and the HR person couldn't stop commenting on my experience, how I was a great fit, offered me a time to meet for the next round, but hit me with the deadly question of how much I was expecting to be paid. I panicked. Maybe it is because I haven't applied for another job/had an interview for quite some time that I answered like a fucking moron and totally lowballed myself out of at least a 20k salary cut. For the record I make close to 75k, and STUPIDLY said I'd take 50k for the lowest I'd go. I just felt pressured to give an answer I wasn't prepared for. I know, I know - rookie mistake.
My question is: if you were offered an opportunity to get out of a field you're miserable in, despite making decent money, would you take it at the expense of such a large pay cut? I would like to mention that the new job's benefits are great, it seems to be a good work/life balance which is what I have been looking for (opposite of what I currently have now), and overall feels like a good fit. But I just absolutely cannot let it go that I essentially sold myself for less than my worth. Maybe it is a pride thing where I know I deserve more because I have the experience I do, and I just can't shake the idea that I dug myself into a hole that will be really hard to get myself out of. I don't feel like I will be able to convince HR to go higher now that I have set the bar where I did. And yes, I know I haven't officially been offered the job, and maybe I won't, but I'd like to know y'alls thoughts on what I should do if I get to that point.
And for the record, before anyone decides to come at me: I am incredibly grateful for my current job, especially in today's world where they are harder and harder to come by. I am not complaining about having a job, I am asking your opinion on whether or not I should take another one with a significant pay decrease - ESPECIALLY in today's economy! My family essentially lives paycheck to paycheck off my salary alone. Yes, my partner works but it is not even close to what I bring in. We are fortunate that they have a job as well and can provide where they can, but I really am worried that this pay cut will add even more financial anxiety/stress than what we're living now.
Any advice is appreciated.