1. You want to get a better job or change to a new one. You shouldn't pursue a Master's degree to get your first job (see #4 for an exception).

Funding not necessary since you're probably going to make $$$ /s

1. You want to change the trajectory of your academic studies or to a more specific field that REQUIRES documented education.

You should only do this with some kind of funding.

1. You want to pursue a PhD education but you did terrible in undergrad such that no one should take you in their PhD programs. Getting a Master's degree can be considered a path of redemption.

You should only do this with some kind of funding unless you have a lot of $$$ or willing to take a huge leap of faith under the thought of "PhD or bust".

1. You want to get a job that involves research or some sort of academia, but you're unsure whether you'd want to commit your time and energy in a PhD program.

This is somewhere in between #1 and #2.

1. You want to be enlightened, educated, or simply like learning or being in a school environment and want some paper to prove you've done it.

¯_(ツ)_/¯ It's your money (or someone else's).

1. You don't like your life, your job, just want to do something else, or don't know what to do in life.

No.