[drivers99]

I haven't read the blog, but I wonder how it compares to the philosphy of the book "Your Money or Your Life". In that book, it talks about a fulfillment curve in which the least pleasure is to be found in having too little (poverty, deprivation) and in having/spending too much. Optimization is to be found in having (spending) "enough" but not too much.[1] The book walks you through tracking your spending and then at the end of the month, deciding whether each category's spending was above or below what you think it should be in terms of the enjoyment you got out of it. It then walks you through how to cut back on what you're overspending on with the ultimate goal of getting into better a financial position, up to and including early retirement.

[1] http://newroadmap.pbworks.com/w/page/10458661/The%20Fulfillm... "'Enough' is appreciating and fully enjoying what money brings into our lives, yet never purchasing anything that isn't needed and wanted."

So I just googled "fulfillment curve" and one of the top results was from a mr money mustache forum post: http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/antimustachian-wall-of-sham...

The way he writes it as "fulfillment curve" being in contrast with "MMM" makes me think you have a point.