@Joseph
Short answer, yes
I have lived through good and bad times.
In the 1950s, my father made more than $50,000 per year when a family was middle class if the income was $5000. In 1962, his business partners put the business into bankruptcy while he and my mother were on an extended business trip abroad.
The family survived on the $4,200 per year my mother made as a public school teacher, while he rebuilt his business. We lived in a house that cost $16,000 new in 1954 and the monthly mortgage payment was $75 including taxes. We ate lots of pasta and rice and chicken on Shabbos and yuntif. I wore hand me down clothes from my eldest brother. I had a great childhood.
My father rebuilt his business, paid all our past and current education expenses and we all made something of ourselves.
In the 1990 recession of G HW Bush, I lost millions of dollars of investment property to foreclosure. I tightened my belt and we went on with life.
I am not wanting material things. My car is 14 years old and works fine, I don’t get a new one because I don’t need it. My children are educated and capable of supporting themselves and their children, they don’t need our support.
In down times I appreciate what I have and enjoy the memories of experiences past without jealousy or longing for more stuff and money.
CR readers know that Mrs. CTL has had terrible health issues for the past 2 and 1/2 years. I’d gladly trade the CTL compound and material things for a 2 room trailer if in turn her health was restored.
After all…it’s all just stuff.