You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap): How One Woman Radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too

A month or two ago I discovered the tiny house phenomenon sweeping through the USA. It seemed really cool and the houses were all oh so cute. It seemed everyone who had built a tiny house had a blog. Some of them were informative and instructional. Others were deep and philosophical. Then I discovered Tammy Strobel's blog, RowdyKittens, and it was everything I enjoyed. Best of all, her writing is infectious.Reading through the archives I discovered that Tammy was soon to launch a book called You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap). To say I was excited is an understatement. It came at a time when I was going through some life stuff: I had become very self-reflective and was dealing with a bout of depression. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. The goals I had set for myself seemed either uninteresting or unattainable. The life I had made for myself had lost its glow. Things weren't the best. I needed some uplifting.You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap) is fascinating account of Tammy's and her husband, Logan's, life together, from rut of debt and unhappiness to transcendence. Maybe that's a bit rich-transcendence-but they have certainly brought things into perspective and have made some positive changes in their life that seems to have put them on the track to genuine happiness. (If that's a destination at all?) Tammy's writing goes through the peaks and troughs of the past 10 or so years. It becomes anxious and reflective when she talks about her old self. And positive and upbeat when she talks about now. It's a really fascinating ride; one I could relate to almost at every moment.Let me get something straight, this isn't self-help bunk. It lacks the judgement and the cult-like totalitarianism that self-help books generally possess. I will say: I hate self-help books. They stink of cod philosophy. This book isn't like that at all. It's more a topical biography of one woman and her husband peppered with factoids on what has worked for them.The micro-actions are my favourite parts for they're attainable and effective. Things like "Evaluate how much time you spend managing your stuff?" That's just perspective building, that is. We spend so much time tending to our stuff. Much of the time stuff is our greatest concern. Is that the sort of person you want to be? "Introduce yourself to your neighbours" She did it and it resulted in positive relationships; what have you got to lose? I live in a group of six townhouses. I don't know any of my immediate neighbours. I have never taken the time to properly say "hi". A few weeks ago, one of our neighbours introduced themselves and suggested we come over for wine sometime. That's what I am talking about. It could result in a really strong and important friendship. Why not take the risk.Strobel argues that happiness can be found in the littler, seemingly insignificant things. That's why she has downsized-smart-sizing some call it-and simplified. In doing so, it frees up her time and her mind to concentrate on things that she loves and that are important. Things like her relationship with Logan, her family; helping people in need. I say, what have you got to lose in trying this approach? You could come out of it genuinely happy for the first time in your life.I'm looking forward to the journey.

While there are heaps of how-to books out there on downsizing, this is not one of them. (The author does, however, include a few helpful tips at the conclusion of each chapter.) Rather, this is a book that inspires.I found the author down-to-earth, likeable, and easy to connect with. She shares her story of being a slave to stressful, unfulfilling jobs because rent for larger-than-necessary housing, car payments, and DEBT required that of her. Many of us are in this same situation. We're not free because we're chained down, paying for our "things."While Tammy & her husband Logan now live in a cute little "tiny house," she embraces others on the simplicity journey, openly honoring their individual and differing choices. She stresses that the tiny house isn't the goal; what is the goal is deciding on the life one really wants to live, and then taking the necessary steps to make that happen. Conforming to societal expectations, many of us bury our dreams and feel drained as we push through life, working and working to pay for stuff that just weighs us down.While reading this book, one of my most profound "Aha!" moments was reached. It was the crystal-clear recognition that my happiest childhood memories are of camping trips we took, a few outings to Disneyland, the bond we enjoyed with our animals, and holiday meals spent with family-- NOT the beautiful curtains or the antique sofa or the hand-painted china plate collection - the meaningless encumberments that we fussed over and prided ourselves on. Relationships and experiences (not stuff) really are what leave us with the richest memories.While reading the book, I sold ten items on CraigsList and donated a pile more to charity - from my already small, minimal home. I let go of belongings that I thought I could never part with. It was painful, right up until the buyer handed me cash and left. Once the item was gone, the discomfort evaporated. I didn't realize I could get this "minimal." It was fun and feels incredibly liberating... and I know that I'm not finished.Some readers may find this book helpful as a starting point to gain inspiration, and then move on to a solid how-to text. Some will succeed on their own path with just inspiration alone. Others of us already have (sometimes extensive) downsizing experience and really don't want another instruction manual. We just crave the stories of like-minded people to inspire us. This book is great for that.

This book is one that I will want to read again and again, for she is such an inspiring lady with a rare integrity, humility, warmth and compassion.In simplifying my life, she is an example I'd like to follow and if only more people were like here, the world would be a far better place.The book is engaging and easy to read. Although focusing primarily on life in the US, many of the lessons there can be learned over here in the UK too. Highly recommended.

I loved this book! Tammy writes very honestly about her journey to personal happiness and the changes she went though on the way. Essentialy she shares the story of her journey, adding in other peoples stories where relevant. I enjoyed the storytelling approach, as it lets you get inside the writers head and see why they did things -not just what they did. Each chapter has a list of "micro-actions" that you can apply to your own life. Even whilst she gives suggestions Tammy never feels like she is telling you what to do or how to live your life. I will use many of these sugesstions and although I have read around the minimal/simple living path to happiness a lot already I did find fresh ideas and a new angle of looking at things which is refreshing. In particular she writes about letting go of her diamond ring, - I've had some silver jewelry hanging about in a bag, unworn for years and as a direct result of this book I sold it today for 26 pounds - the book has already paid for itself. A brilliant and entertaining read!

I have followed Tammy's writings through her blog at [...] and was very excited after placing my order for her book. It doesn't disappoint! Myself and my husband are already in the process of de-cluttering, re-organising and re-evaluating our lives but even so, this just served as further inspiration to carry on as we are doing and I truly believe that once you have read this book it will open your eyes and make you think more about how you live your life and ultimately what you want it to be like/what you want to get out of it. As Tammy so rightly points out, you only have one life and it could end at any moment, it can change at any moment (very true) - this book will help you realise what today's consumer lifestyle and ideologies of excess.. buy more more more... work more more more... is doing to your health, relationships and bank balance. Well done Tammy. `Simply' brilliant.

Some great ideas and thought provoking actions to take, especially if you have debt and are not finding happiness in your current life surrounded by belongings.Even though i am already most of the way there in terms of beliefs, and only buy what i need generally, i still found this book had ideas and actions to take that i found thought provoking and conducive to gaining more happiness.I expected the book to be longer based upon the price, although i am still glad i purchased it.

Great ideas and thoughts that we all need to know. The 100 thing challenge has got me going on my sorting and getting rid of stuff!! The very stuff we may buy thinking it makes us happy, only really makes us happy when we give it to someone else making them and our selves happy !!100 stars !