Consumerism on steroids has fueled the American Nightmare for decades. When we want less, we experience freedom. Big houses, big cars, big holidays, big everything because bigger is better in our shallow culture is the biggest lie we’ve ever been told. Live in an 800 square foot house. Pay it off early. Live frugally. Save money. Once our basic needs are met that’s as happy as we’ll ever be. Two houses don’t make us happier than one. Once you learn to differentiate between a luxury and a necessity, you win. Most won’t follow this recipe because cultural expectations no matter how detrimental supersede logic, however.