I read this article this morning and it reminded me of someone I know who lives about a mile from me (rural Ireland). Lets call him Mick.

Mick is now retired.

He worked for the local council road crew since he was around 20 (1975 start or earlier).

He lives in the same council house his parents acquired in the 50's/60's. A small 3 bedroom house with ~1 acre of land.

Never married, no kids, never owned a car (collected for work each morning and dropped home each evening).

Cycles to the local shop for groceries.

Never really bought anything in his life from what I can tell. As in he doesn't own shoes other than the wellies/boots the council provided him with. Same clothes for years and those too were most likely bought cheap or provided by the council (work jackets etc.).

Mick's house is EXACTLY the same as it was when first built nearly 70 years ago apart from maybe a lick of paint and some repairs.

I wouldn't describe Mick as happy, which implies a degree of glee or energy which doesn't fit, it's more that he is very content with his lot in life. If you saw him you would be forgiven for mistaking him for a tramp, but he is likely quite wealthy.