to use) include: Cut back on alcohol which also means less regular nights out (this also had a very noticeable effect on both my health and the sharpness of my mind); Generally shunning consumerism; and Before buying something always ask myself will this make a difference to my life 3 months from today.  This means I own very few gadgets. The second direction change I made was to not increase my standard of living as I achieved pay increases.  Instead that money is saved.  Some of the techniques I have used to achieve these pay rises include: Always do the job that is asked first and then ask for the money that job deserves once you are doing the job; Do whatever is required to get the job done.  If the floor needs sweeping then sweep the floor even if it's "3 pay grades below you"; and Use a phrase I was told many years ago -- success is only 1% inspiration but 99% perspiration.  I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer but I make up for it by working exceptionally hard. So far this journey has been a positive experience for me (I have particularly seen a massive improvement in my direct family life) however just recently I have started to really notice the possible "negatives" of this approach.  The first centres on reclusiveness.   The vast majority of my friends and certainly my indirect family are still from my pre-2007 days.  This means that over time a