^ I have interviewed with companies before and never heard from them again, or heard from them 5 months down the road. Until I start to get the respect from them I am not going to put myself out to makes sure I can take a job elsewhere. Companies that drag you around for 4 interviews and then tell you they are going to hold off on hiring anyway, tells me they don't mind have their time wasted.
Not to mention, they probably interviewed more than this 1 guy for the position, and if he leaves, they will just give #2 a call and hire him on. I am sure it is a pain for the company but they have to understand that when someone is looking for work, they apply to more than one place, and they may not be the best.
As for the money, I wouldn't let it be the deciding factor. I have worked some crap jobs that I would gladly take a 10k pay cut to have something I enjoyed better. Mind you I don't have kids
