That said, it’s hardly ever bad to earn more money or get a promotion. There’s no telling if that new job you think you’d like more will open up any time before your commitment is up, and even if it does you can always talk to someone about wanting to apply for it when the eighteen month commitment is up.

I think I’d look at it this way: it’s eighteen months, not a lifetime. I’ll earn $X more that will be put into savings, which will enable me to have a more comfortable retirement/bigger emergency fund/anniversary cruise. In an unstable economy it’s good to make decisions that make me more marketable within my own company and others. It will disrupt my life somewhat, but not to a degree that makes me uncomfortable. And I’ll bet I can work some things around to lessen that consideration.

So, as you can see, I’d likely take the promotion.

Good luck!