If we take a step back from 2012, what do we truly need?
Food, water, clothing and shelter. Our families and friends.
Everything else is optional.
No, I am not going to sell or discard my personal effects down to necessities. I am not going to cease working, curse material possessions and strip my life of its luxuries.
Millions of people throughout the world are happy with the bare necessities. I will continue to be grateful for my conveniences.
However, before buying, selling or making any financial decisions, I will realize that everything is literally discretionary.
I just gave a speech about this last weekend to a tough audience. It was about happiness and how family and friends are all we need to be happy and everything else is a bonus