Calling the Shots or Am I Just a Sucker?

I know I've been talking about leaving my retail job and even looking forward to this newfound freedom of having my evenings and weekends free for a social life and I still can't wait, but right now I decided to remain at my retail job until January 1st. I know some people might be disappointed in my decision, but I feel I have some good reasons and I'm now in a position where I can call the shots to make this work for my advantage.(I think)

As far as my reasons for staying are concerned, I most importantly can use the extra $. With the holiday shopping season upon us, it's good to have this extra $ to use for shopping and to continue buying nice gifts for my family and to fund the food/drinks/ and gifts for my annual holiday party. Also, I want to do some charity work and maybe make a small donation or be able to buy supplies/gifts for those less fortunate. Although it's unrelated to this holiday, I still want to go to Barber/Cosmetology school and I can use this extra $ to put towards the tuition. In additon to the extra $, I guess you can say I've just been a dedicated employee at this retail job. I've worked there for 4 years and I've made some great friends/ acquaintances and I will say if it wasn't for the managers giving me a good reference, I probably would not have gotten this government job. Also, the place is understaffed and with the holidays fast approaching they really do need people and I feel sorta guilty about leaving. I've never been the type who can just up and leave a job without any notice and every time I've tried to submit my notice, I get this guily feeling about abandoning my coworkers/friends at the job, but I will admit these holiday hours can be a killer. For example, the store is now open until 11pm and today I didn't get out until 11:30pm and didn't get home well until after midnight. Tomorrow I'm expected to work from 2-11:15pm. I'm sure that will be a killer and the following day I might have a rough morning at my government job, but I'm sure it's nothing a little caffein can't fix.

When it comes to calling the shots, it was the managers who approached me and said they "really needed my help" and asked if I could stay until the holiday season. Although I can use the extra $, I don't really need it. I make fairly good money at my new job and I'm sure I'd be able to save up enough $ for school (If I keep myself disciplined with extra spending), but it would just take longer to save up the money since I still have to pay the bills. I also made it clear what days and hours I can work and I definitely made sure I'll have off on the days I can attend my friends' holiday/birthday partys as well as my own party which I intend to have later this month. I also have some extra days where I could make some time for dating one of those cute guys who live out of state ; )

I know I can't continue working this retail job forever as it will still put a serious dent in my sanity and social life, and one of the main reasons of my getting this new job was so I wouldn't have to work two jobs to make ends meet, but I think I've got things under control and I believe I'm in a position where I can leave this retail job at any time. I just got to make sure not to let it go to my head or lose focus of why I'm working these extra hours/days or to let it interfere with my government job because if I were to lose that job, I'll really be a sucker.