" 'I don't want much. I just want to be happy.' "

I remember my mom telling me when I was maybe six or seven, "don't ever confuse happiness with money; happiness comes from love and friendship." I also think it comes from living within your means and the freedom to do so. <br><br>Is it just me, or does it seem like the vast majority of people seem to think that stuff equals happiness? Whenever I travel, I see people with their ipads and expensive phones walking down the sidewalk, not really paying attention to the face that they are in a beautiful place with beautiful sights. Everyone is so caught up in their own worlds; they seem to miss the world around them, and they don't realize the beauty in that. It makes me so sad. I want to tell everyone how much better life is when you simplify. <br><br>I'm 23, and I've been pursuing a career as an economist because I want to help our economy help people live better lives. I want to help improve policies that affect people who are low-income. I want to help make the US more equitable. It's not easy because most people who go into economics are more money-driven, but I won't give up because I don't want to go through life being another selfish, entitled person. <br><br>I get payed decently well, but I donate almost everything I have because I realize that I don't need the things that I can buy with my money. I live modestly with my cat and four roommates in a 2000 square foot house that we rent for $4000 a month. It could be a lot worse. My roommates and I all cook and clean together, and it's a really nice house, so we are overall happy. <br><br>I own a iPhone and two pairs of earbuds. I don't have a computer, and I don't feel like I need one. I am always on my phone, but I am always on my phone at work, too, so I have to be accessible. I have a bunch of kitchen stuff like a slow cooker and rice cooker and toaster oven. I have a TV, but I don't watch it that much. I have a microwave and refrigerator. That's it. <br><br>I don't have a car, but I take public transportation. It's expensive, but it's worth it, I think. I walk a lot, too. I'm very healthy, and I don't think I'd be as healthy if I had a car. Plus, I get to see the world around me when I'm walking. <br><br>I don't buy subscription services. I know it's nice to have Netflix and Hulu, but I think if I had those things I'd be constantly inside my room watching TV. I get a little TV time in at night, but it's mostly when I have friends over. <br><br>I have a lot of books. I love to read, and I go to the library a lot. I borrow a lot from my friends who also love to read. I love physical books because you can feel the pages and see the words on paper. I will never read digital books because I don't want to ruin my eyes staring at my phone all day. It's not good for you anyway. <br><br>I don't drink. I think alcohol is a terrible thing. I like being healthy, I don't want to ruin my body, and I don't need to drink to have a good time. My friends and I will go out to eat and have a good time, but we never drink. <br><br>I don't know, I just know that money will never be able to buy you happiness. I'm making a decent amount of money, but none of it is mine. Almost half of it goes to rent, then some of it goes to the train and food and all that, but most of it goes to people who are worse off than I am. <br><br>Some people say that I'm insane and that I should just take advantage of the situation that I'm in. Some people say that I should save my money and get a better car and better phone and just live in luxury. But I don't want to do that. I want to live a simple life. I don't want to be caught up in all of the drama that comes with being rich. I feel content where I am, and I'm happy with what I have. <br><br>I'm happy with my friends, too. They think the way that I do. We don't drink, we don't do drugs, and we never go shopping. Shopping is a waste of time and money, and drug and alcohol use is destructive. We much rather go for hikes or walks and do things that are fun for everyone. We will have game nights and movie nights and pot lucks. We just like to pay attention to each other and to our surroundings. <br><br>So that's my philosophy on life. <br><br>I don't want much. I just want to be happy. <br><br>I feel like that's what everyone wants. <br><br>I just don't understand why people don't realize that money and material things can't buy you happiness.