The recession certainly has made people view money and materiel objects differently, but one couple decided to change the way they live….permanently.

Tammy Strobel and her husband, Logan Smith started to downsize and give away items in their home, but when Tammy came across a challenge of living with just 100 personal items, a whole new version of downsizing came along.

Tammy and her husband moved out of their two bedroom apartment, sold their car and now ride bikes, and moved into a 400 square foot studio apartment. In addition, between her toiletries and her wardrobe, Tammy truthfully owns just 100 items.

Though this may seem a little drastic to some, turning to this style of simple living enhanced Tammy and Logan’s life drastically. Since there has been a cut in their living expenses and the money they spend, Tammy hasn’t found the need to work as often. This gives her more time to spend outside and volunteer, too.

That isn’t the most beneficial change this lifestyle has given them, however. Between selling their home and cutting their living expenses, Tammy and Logan have freed themselves from the $30,000 debt they once owed.

They, like many others through this recession, are finding out that less might actually mean more, especially more happiness. And a recent study agrees with this theory!

“New studies of consumption and happiness show, for instance, that people are happier when they spend money on experiences instead of material objects, when they relish what they plan to buy long before they buy it, and when they stop trying to outdo the Joneses,” stated an article from the New York Times.

Also, spending money on experiences means you’re more likely to spend time with friends or loved ones and are able to make memories, something you can’t exactly get from a trip to the store buying a new outfit.

In the end, you don’t need to make the extreme change that Tammy and Logan did, but cutting back may help financially and positively add to your health emotionally.

To read the full article click here.

And to find out more about the benefits of buying less, watch The Story of Stuff and visit their website .

Source:
The New York Times