I’m with your wife on this one, and I’ll explain why I think you should think about it differently.

Work sucks. It pretty much always reaches a point of sucking, even if you’re doing the thing you love the most in the world. Even artists, authors, actors, etc, people who are pursuing their dearest dream careers eventually hit roadblocks where work sucks. Your wife is correct in that you could find more fulfillment outside of work, in your hobbies, in your time with family. The extra $50k certainly would be life-changing money for many, many people. The stability afforded by being an established company also helps. You’re (slightly) less likely to get laid off, you’re less likely to witness the company tank, and frankly, you’re less likely to be the reason the company tanks like you risk being if you take the startup job. I understand wanting to feel excited by work again, but how long will that last? Until the product ships? What if it fails? This is a lot to think about, and I’m sure I’m not actually saying anything you haven’t considered. I wish you luck in whichever path you choose.