You Can Buy Happiness (and It's Cheap): How One Woman Radically Simplified Her Life and How You Can Too

Tammy Strobel

Aug 2012 · New World Library

About this ebook

Once, Tammy Strobel and her husband were living a normal middle-class lifestyle: driving two cars, commuting long distances, and living well beyond their means. Now they are living the voluntary downsizing; or smart-sizing; dream. In this book Strobel combines research on well-being with numerous real-world examples to offer practical inspiration. Her fresh take on our things, our work, and our relationships spells out micro-actions that anyone can take to step into a life that’s more conscious and connected, sustainable and sustaining, heartfelt and happy.

Ratings and reviews

I've been reading Tammy Strobel's blog for a couple of years now, and this is the first book of hers I've bought. I'm wary of buying books from bloggers (even ones whose writing I enjoy) because of the potential that it will be too much of a rehash of their blog, and there's a bit of that here. However, I felt like I got an extra layer of value from reading this book even having followed her blog for so long. Seeing her story woven together instead of broken up in blog posts, and with a bit more insight into her life story and choices, made it freshly inspiring to me. I think the most valuable thing in this book is not the advice about how to downsize and consume less, but the personal stories that demonstrate how simplifying and slowing down has improved Tammy's relationships and her sense of well-being. It's clear that she enjoys life and knows what is precious in it. I found that really inspiring as I read.

Inspirational minimalist guidance

About the author

Tammy Strobel is a writer, tiny house enthusiast, and coffee addict. She created her blog, RowdyKittens.com, in late 2007 to improve her writing and to share her story. Her story has been featured by the New York Times, USA Today, the Today show, CNN, MSNBC, and a variety of other media outlets. Tammy spends her free time taking photos, volunteering, and hanging out with friends and family. She currently lives in a very tiny house in Portland, Oregon, with her husband, Logan, and two cats.