The better answer may well be to get along without all the crap that “a nice suburban life” typically involves. The best times in my life have involved a banjo and a half pint of whiskey along with a few friends and a place to dance. I would not trade those experiences for a bass boat, tickets to a NASCAR race, a 374 inch flat screen TV with unlimited programming, and a 400 HP SUV. Nor will I try to make that trade in the future. The banjo cost $700 ten years ago and the cost of the whiskey varies, but I can afford it.
To each his own, but we all have options if we will look for them.
You righteously condemn consumerism and then report spending $700 on a banjo???!!!
Banjo picker, pluck thyself!
AV