It makes me happy! Since moving into my new studio, my PG & E bill has not been above $10 and that makes me happy! I own very few personal belonging and consume very little and I feel great and liberated. But that cold just be me, right?

Not necessarily! A new NYT article says that it might also be rubbing off on the average American. Spending more on "experiences" over "things" is making our country happier (generally speaking ). Check out the article: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/business/08consume.ht
ml?_r=2&pagewanted=1&ref=homepage&src=me

What do you think? Does this apply to you?

I saw this article too! and loved it. It's really interesting stuff. I know they always say money doesn't buy happiness but it does feel good saving money you think you need to spend. I feel lots of people get into the trap of thinking they need to pay a large monthly bill for tv, and internet, and insurance, and phone, and energy, and water, and garbage, etc etc. and that's just the way life is. Obviously some of these payments are necessary, but if we all took a critical look at our lives and finances I think we could all reduce out monthly bills and as a result be happier when we see how much we are saving. It's one of those preachy consumerist nation things that I won't get into, but seriously, just spend money on what really makes you happy and cut everything else.

I LOVE this story. I usually surprise people when I tell them I have no dreams of being a "millionaire". As stated, some things in life require money and I aspire to have a career that will help pay for the necessities, but having more money than I need is not a goal of mine. I am truly inspired by this woman's story. To cut back on possessions and then to achieve a debt free status is a wonderful aspiration. She can now give back by volunteering and enjoy her free time by working less. I truly believe that money will not bring you happiness and that spending less can most definitely make you happy!

Money is actually a source of unhappiness because of human greed. The more you have of it the more you want. If instead we look at money as a means to make us and others around us happy then the amount of money we have no longer matters but what we do with it and not what its potential is. The woman in the story is truly inspirational.