Great article, thank you. I also believe that there’s a tremendous boost to mental health by living below your means, especially if you can really enjoy the things you have, and do, without overspending.

I emigrated to the US from the UK years ago. For almost any position, salaries are much higher here, but without the same social support systems. In the US, you save diligently and spend carefully, only to have to deal with occasional “blob” expenses, like getting a crown done, or and unexpected home repair bill. The size of these can throw you off from trying to save the small stuff (why feel proud to save $100 on clothes in the sales when it’s $600 for a tooth repair?), but you mustn’t let it. I find that accepting a number of these blob expenses as inevitable keeps me on track with the month-to-month diligence elsewhere. Thanks again!