The ancient nomadic tribe of the Nabateans (who resided in the area of modern Jordan) understood a few things that apparently went right by the denizens of the modern world:

They live in the open air….It is their custom neither to plant grain, set out any fruit-bearing tree, use wine, nor construct any house….They follow this custom because they believe that those who possess these things are, in order to retain the use of them, easily compelled by the powerful to do their bidding….They are exceptionally fond of freedom…
Diodorus Siculus (c. 80-20 BCE)

This will be very much on my mind while I review all my bills tonight. People are enslaved in proportion to what they are obliged to shell out.