We each made our major lifestyle decisions after a good deal of soul searching, along with some very practical testing the waters experiences. While we firmly believe that the key to financial happiness is spending less than you earn, only you can determine what's really right when it comes to how you earn, invest, and spend your income. You can have piles of money, but if you're not living the life you want to live, you won't be able to buy enough things to make up for it. It's your choice from here on out. Of course, you don't have to give up your job or move cross country to change your lifestyle for the better.
Small steps can make a world of difference.
Data show typical Americans spend hardly any time talking to their kids. Those school plays and Little League games you missed will be remembered, and regretted, for a lifetime. Family camping trips or treehouse construction will also be long remembered. The last decade has changed our notions of job security. These days, while you're expected to be creative, resourceful, on top of the latest innovations, and dedicated to the workplace, you can't even count on being employed come tomorrow.