Later he came to see the ownership of such exalted things as "a nuisance" and the antiquarian enthusiasms they aroused as irrelevant: better to make them for oneself.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia | The Subtle Magic of Koetsu

Of interest though is that people in poorer countries who make downward social comparisons (comparing oneself to those who have even less vs. those who have more) are more satisfied with their lives than individuals making upward social comparisons.

FORBES: Why Consumers In Poor Countries Try Harder To 'Keep Up With The Joneses'

That sounds great, but the difficulty in actually procuring ingredients is compounded by the need to make a decision about what to cook, not to mention cooking it without dismembering oneself or creating small fires in an enclosed space.

FORBES: Connect