This is an interesting discussion. I gave up a pretty well-paid job because we knew we wanted another child and our quality of life had already begun to suffer with long hours and work brought home. Child-care is so expensive in the UK too. It is very true that on your death bed you will not say, "I wish I had bought that car,", but "I wish I had spent more time with the kids".

We have had to give up thoughts of moving house or expensive holidays but it has improved our quality of life. Having anxiety has certainly put things like consumerism into perspective for me. I would often think, "If only this anxiety will go away... I will never ask for anything again". Of course, now I feel better, I often think, "I'd love a new car", but I am trying hard at the moment not to buy more stuff, especially books and toys, as our house is bursting at the seams. We are lucky in that my husband was made redundant and with his settlement we were able to pay a chunk off the mortgage meaning I didn't have to work. He has a good job now too. It's very easy to get sucked into consumerism and credit. Really, with my family and my health I have everything and I know that I am blessed.