Not sure about others but I'd be equally happy living in a 10x10 or even smaller shed; being alive and kicking and having someone to love if possible (even if they don't love you back) brings more pleasure than any material possessions. If one has nothing, theres nothing to lose, nothing to insure or pay maintenance on or take care of; having a lot means theres a lot to lose (if very attached to possessions), lots to insure, lots to maintain etc. etc. Having experienced life, being a survivor by instinct, from having virtually nothing to having everything I could ever dream of or want, has made me appreciate what I have, when I have, however can easily live without anything but would still need a purpose to live. I left home when I was 16, had a vision and made life happen; I was initally stupid with my new found freedom but soon learnt to respect it. Wealth needs to be measured by a person's character, not by his bank account; I'm still trying to build my character, still keep finding flaws in myself.