In all seriousness though, I've never been rich by any stretch of the imagination and I do earn more now than I did 5 years ago to be sure but I have less "things" now. Along with shedding the junk out of my life came my new attitude about debt and those two things are what increased my happiness factor.

I once believed, like so many others, that happiness came from shiny things. But the attendant concerns that go with possessions (upkeep, concern over loss, buyer's remorse, etc.) were causing far more fret in my life than whatever illusory joy they provided.

Having a peaceful home with mostly half empty rooms and just a handful of bills has turned out to be a much, much more pleasant way (for me) to live.

Certainly not for everyone, I have friends who cannot fathom living like I do just as I can no longer imagine going back to living the way they are today.