The American Dream inspires people to become more materialistic. Successful people have big houses, new cars, flashy clothing, and the newest iPhone. What is being successful really about? Just because a person can buy new clothes and expensive cars does not mean they are living a successful life. The American Dream and success should be about developing yourself as a person, having a family, giving back to the community, and finding a career that is enjoyable not just one that makes a tons of money. 

America will never grow as a country if people continue to put inanimate things before other people. The newest generation of young adults, Millennials, hold the power to end materialism. This new generation of people are not as willing to trade their time for money as the generations before them. By focusing on experiences and relationships instead of having lots of things, people are living a simpler and happier life. 

Millennials take trips around the world instead of buying a new car. They trade the big houses and fancy weddings for less stress and more opportunity by paying off their debt instead of adding to it. More and more millennials are becoming minimalists. Even though many new young adults still have regular houses and a collection of Apple products they are leaving stuff behind instead of letting it become a burden. Minimalists live a simple life with all the essentials and look for lasting happiness. According to researchers from UCLA who studied 32 middle-class families the families that spend more time dealing with the objects they own are more stressed.

Making a lot of money does not result in happiness. The way people spend their money plays a big role in their happiness. People generally are happier when they give money to those who need it and use it to travel then when they spend lots of money on themselves, buying new things they don’t actually need. The associate professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, Prof. Howell, figured out that people buy material purchases because they offer better value since they last longer and experiences are fleeting. Most people spend their money on tangible things they think they will use all of the time. The purchase almost always results in immediate but not lasting happiness. It is only a matter of time till the owner loses interest and goes onto the next purchase. The fancy s*** at the back off the closet that has not been worn more than twice. That big clothes hanger in the bedroom that’s sometimes referred to as a treadmill. Or that fancy coffee maker in the kitchen that hasn’t been plugged in for months. These are just a few of the many things that people buy but never really use. 

Why buy something if it never gets used? Millennials are getting more for their money by spending it on trips and vacations that can be enjoyed. Going on trips with family and friends helps to connect everyone. The trip produces memories that will last longer than that desire for the latest greatest gadget. Some of the best experiences and things in the world cannot be simply purchased whenever desired. Trying new things and going to unknown places results in more happiness than being tied down to lots of objects and things that are not needed. One of the best ways to find happiness involves connecting with the world and forming relationships with people. 


The Millennial's tiny house movement inspires change and foreshadows the downfall of a materialistic world. The houses are usually less than 400 square feet and cost around $30,000 or less to make. Millennials are finding success in spending less on a big home and more on experiences and paying off debt to reduce stress. By purchasing a tiny house instead of a regular sized house the likelihood of having credit card and loan debt goes down. The tiny house encourages its owners to live a simpler life with less clutter. Becoming more involved and helping the community both become easier when free time is not limited by dealing with a big house that holds many objects. 

Millennials are paving the way for the next generation of young adults to live simpler lives with less meaningless objects and more experiences and memories. The minimalist lifestyle helps people live a more meaningful life. The next generations will determine if materialism will be a thing of the past. The American Dream of success should teach people to develop themselves by forming relationships, giving back to the community, and find an occupation that they truly enjoy. By living a smaller life with less things and spending more on trips and experiences than cars and clothes, people everywhere can learn to live a happier and healthier life. The world will be a better place when people stop associating success and happiness with money and materials. Experience the world with family and friends, make memories, and never forget that people are more important than things.