You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap) Book Review

One of the things that we are continuing to work towards in our house is simplicity.

We are often decluttering, becoming paperless and trying to live a simpler and lower impact life. So, when I was offered a copy of a book about simplifying and discovering happiness, I leapt at the chance to read about how another family’s journey.

You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap) by Tammy Strobel is an account of how Tammy, author of Rowdykittens.com, and her husband, Logan, changed their lives from being debt-laden and stressed out to living happily in a 128-square foot tiny house. They moved apartments, got rid of their cars and took small steps toward leading a simpler life.

Three things stood out for me as I read the book. First, was Tammy’s gentle writing style. She is a great storyteller and her inclusion of other people’s simplifying stories helps her to present the reader with various options in the simple living spectrum. She encourages her readers to understand that her way is not the only way to find your bliss and repeatedly states that you should find what works for you and your family. In our house right now, that means we need to keep decluttering the attic, our closets and reviewing what we have and how often we use things. Can we do with less pairs of shoes? less books? Can we get our food shopping focused and how can we use our house space in its best way?

Tammy Strobel and her tiny house

Second, Tammy makes you slow down to think about what she and her husband did and the steps that they took. She offers great examples of simplifying challenges, such as the 100 Things challenge, Project 333, or even putting their TV in the closet to see if they would really miss it. They are great steps to take with yourself, partner or family and see how simply you can live.

Third, she has caused me to have conversations not only with myself, but also with my mom. We were talking the other day about how much you could pare down. Having conversations such as these are an important byproduct of Strobel’s work. She has placed an important discourse into the world especially during an election year. What is it that you value? Where are you best off in the world? With what type of job? Can you create your own path? Can you live debt free? In an era when we have been fed “buy, buy, buy” by the media and celebrity trade magazines, can you take a step in another direction and be confident with that step?

After reading the book, I had the opportunity to ask Tammy some questions. I had asked her if the tiny house, which is on wheels, could be used for travel. She told me that the house, while on wheels, is built for long term use, so they do not anticipate using it for travel. But, it did allow them to relocate from Portland to California in order to live closer to family.

I also asked what was the best thing to unload as they simplified and she emphatically stated that it was the cars. No payments, no insurance, no repair bills. Sounds pretty good!

Finally, I asked her how she views shopping locally, something I promote on this blog, as living simply when big box stores may offer lower prices than your local store. Her full answer is as understanding of different lives as her book was:

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to have read this book, speak with Tammy, and think about our next simplification steps as a family. I highly recommend the book to any and all who are stressed out, feeling financially strapped and emotionally stuck. I think it can be a great impetus for all.

Disclosure: I was provided with a copy of the book above for review purposes. All opinions are my own.